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irrata 
to 


pelure, 
nd 


n 


32X 


1 

2 

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1 

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6 

llnr-f    Mil. I    V'.>\<r    liotli    I.  11    :Ur    liliitl/ 


/'.,.;.  -.'i; 


V 


tr.- 


War  of  I8l2  Series 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


A  STORY  OF  THE  CREEK  WAR 


% 


I 


m 


m 


v 


EVERETT    T.  TOMLINSON 

AUTHOR  OF   "THE  SEARCH   FOR  ANDREW   FIELD"    "THE   BOY 

SOLDIERS  OF   l8l2  "    "THE  BOY  OFFICERS  OF    l8l2  " 

"THREE  COLONIAL  BCYS  "    "THREE  YOUNG 

CONTINENTALS  "    ETC. 


)^W^^ 


t-B"-^ 


BOSTON 
LEE   AND    SHEPARD    PUBLISHERS 

lO     MILK     STREET 
1897 


-i 


> 


-««i?^!l 


Tnfir^.  -vr*- 


i^«»*ai.—xi-niWi^',i".g^i*»: 


I 


'\" 


S 


COPYRIGHT,  1896,   BY   LEE  AND  SHEPARD 


Atl  rights  rtiirved 
Tkcumsbh's  Youno  Braves 


T»f   or 

iocktMU  snt  Ctnrctin 

BOSTON,   U.S.A. 


s3ft»s^; 


.wss*- 


i<tMe»i>aixim^. 


V 


to 


THE   SONS   AND    DAUGHTERS 

OF    THE 

SOCIETY    OF    THE    WAR    OF     1813 


■ 

-  « 

\ 

> 

- 

..x*4«.«^</W^iifl®«»t  '-»' 


3fa.ia»t  s-r«-rfi«^ 


»l 


E2  I 


H 


IX 


PREFACE 


mHAT  portion  of  the  War  of  1812  — the  struggle 
-*-  with  the  hastile  Creeks  —  which  furnishes  the 
historical  setting  of  this  story,  has  Ixjen  stmngely 
neglected  by  historians  and  story  writers  alike. 

And  yet  few  chaptei-s  in  our  national  history  have 
furnished  more  examples  of  personal  courage  and 
daring.  The  intelligence  and  tenacity  of  the  war- 
riors, the  influence  of  the  English  and  Spanish 
plotters,  the  character  of  the  leaders  among  the 
Creeks  and  Americans,  all  combined  to  make  this 
struggle  a  memorable  one.  Heroic  action,  fiendish 
cruelty,  plot  and  counter-plot,  were  mingled  more 
after  the  style  of  romance  than  of  actual  events. 

But  many  of  the  deeds  which  I  have  endeavored  to 
weave  into  this  story  are  vouched  for  by  the  best 
historians,  and  even  in  the  most  exciting  portions  of 
this  book  I  have  kept  within  the  limits  of  the  records. 

The  visit  of  Tecumseh  and  hii  band  from  the 
Northwest,  the  fight  which  Sam  Dale  had  in  the 
large  canoe,  the  leap  of  Weatherford  and  his  horse 
from  the  high  bluff  at  the  "  holy  ground,"  and  even 
the   escape  of  a  prisoner  who  remained  under  the 


J" 


■jtimtm 


MWiMM 


lii>imiftnr-Wi.rfiWr 


d 


rREPAOR 


water,  broathiiijj  through  the  h)ng  johit  of  a  cane, 
are  dwelt  upon  in  the  early  records,  and  numy  of  the 
deeds  long  ntniained  as  the  themes  of  fireside  stories 
and  lH)rder  songs. 

In  the  historical  references  I  have  ilrawn  freely 
from  Lossing,  I'ickett,  Drake,  Jenkins,  and  Halbert 
and  Hall,  and  here  wish  to  acknowledge  my  indebted- 
ness to  thuni. 

EVEUETT  T.  TOMLINSON. 


3 
It 


« 
t. 


t 


! 


■  .-r^ii^f f£jf-^=>  rtnit^'^'''^'' ""*"' '  ^  '  *■''"  '"--"•^ 


t  of  a  ciino, 
iimny  of  the 
esido  storieH 

Irawn  freely 
luul  Ilulbei't 
my  indebted- 

)ML1NS0N. 


i  'I 


CONTENTS 


Chaptir  9tam 

I.    Leavino  Homk 9 

II.     TiiK  Visit  ok  Tkcumhkii 20 

III.  An  Unexpected  Arrival 31 

IV.  A  Chanoe  in  the  1'lan 41 

V.    To  the  Fort 61 

VI.     Like  at  Fort  Mims 60 

VII.     In  the  Woods  again 69 

VIII.    The  Massacre 78 

IX.    The  Return 88 

X.  The    Si'KEcH    of    Tecumseh's    Youno 

Brave 97 

XI.    In  the  Alabama 106 

XII.    Sam  Dale's  Encounter 114 

XIII.  Andrew  Jackson 122 

XIV.  Tecumseh's  Young  Braves  again    ,    .  136 
XV.    The  Search  for  Josiah 146 

XVI.    Josi.ui's  Message 155 

XVII.    Jerry  Departs 164 

XVIII.    The  Piece  of  Cane I73 

XIX.    Josiah  Reappears   .         182 

XX.    The  Place  of  Torment 192 

XXI.    At  the  Stake 201 

XXII.    Econochaca 211 

XXIII.     An  Interrupted  Passage 220 


Sgltf-riite-Mi   . 


h\\ 


t-  il 


8 

Chaptkb 

XXIV. 
XXV. 
XXVI. 
XXVII. 
XXVIII. 
XXIX. 
XXX. 
XXXI. 
XXXII. 
XXXIII. 
XXXIV. 
XXXV. 


CONTENTS 
*  Page 

Followed 230 

24-1 
Emucfau 

The  Wrestlers '^'^- 

The  Cank-covered  Oaves     ....  2G.'5    , 

The  Solitary  Guard 272 

Where  were  the  Braves?  ....  282    ^ 

Jerry's  Venture ^^-^ 

A  Disturbed  Party 301 

Up  the  Coosa 3i;i 

Horse  Shoe  Bend 323 

The  Search  fob  Nance 334 

345 
Conclusion •    "**' 


i 


Pagv 

230 

241 

252 

26.3 

272 

282 

292 

301 

313 

323 

334 

345 


LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS 


Page 
'  Horse  and  rider  both  left  the   DLUFF  "      .      FrontUpiece 

'  The  hunter  was  leading  the  way  " 61 

'He  drove  his  bayonet  into  the  Indian's  heakt,"  119 
'  The  sight  of  the  fire  seemed  to  increase  the 

fury  op  the  8pectatoks " 198 

'  He  was  thrown  headlong  and  hard  upon  the 

ground" 261 

'  Just  before  them  they  could  see  the  camp  "  .  309 
'  Major  Montgomery  was  the   first  to   spring 

UPON  THE  breastworks" 329 

'I    AM    IN    YOUR    POWER.       DO    WITH    ME     AS     YOU 

PLEASE" 336 


u 


■mifmm^>mj^/-t  ' 


TECUMSEH^S   YOUNG   BRAVES 


CHAPTER  I 


LEAVING    HOME 


"  pUSH  her  off,  Tom.    Let  her  go." 

-'■      "All  right,  Jerry,  but  it's  hard  to  get  this 
strange-looking  craft  started." 

At  the  words  of  his  brother,  Tom  Curry  pushed 
the  "strange-looking  craft,"  as  he  called  it,  out  from 
the  bank,  and  slowly  it  moved  into  the  river.  And 
strange-looking,  indeed,  it  was  1 

It  was  a  crude  craft  in  which  the  logs  had  been 
fastened  together  with  thongs  of  deer-hide,  and  over 
which  rough  boards  had  been  nailed  to  the  logs 
beneath.  A  rough  bow  had  been  fashioned,  and  near 
the  stern  what  might  have  been  called  a  little  house, 
or  cabin,  had  been  erected.  This,  more  properly  still, 
perhaps,  might  have  been  termed  a  shelter,  as  it  was 
enclosed  n  three  sides,  and  was  the  only  place  which 
had  been  provided  within  which  the  members  of  the 
party  could  sleep. 


*v 


l3 


10 


TECUMSEH'S   YOUNG   BKAVES 


Long  poles  and  rough-looking  oai-s  were  on  the 
sides  of  the  nift,  and  altogether  the  structure  bore 
more  of  a  resemblance  to  some  of  the  modern  house- 
boats than  it  did  anything  else,  only  a  "  house-boat " 
had  never  been  heard  of  in  those  days.  Perhaps 
it  might  have  been  likened  to  some  of  the  floating 
homes  that  to-tlay  are  to  be  found  on  the  lakes  and 
canals,  providing  at  the  same  time  a  shelter,  a  home, 
and  a  means  of  transportation  from  one  place  to 
another.        , 

Yet,  strange  as  was  the  craft,  far  stranger  were  the 
crew  and  the  passengers.  Over  the  rough  boards 
that  covered  the  raft  a  few  chickens  were  moving, 
and  a  pig  also  could  have  been  seen  there;  but  in 
addition  to  the  live-«tock,  there  was  among  others  the 
young  individual  we  have  already  heard  addressed 
as  "Tom." 

He  was  one  of  two  boys,  or  young  men,  on  board, 
about  seventeen  years  of  age,  who  very  strongly 
resembled  each  other.  In  fact,  it  had  been  a  stand- 
ing joke  with  them  for  some  time  that  each  was  con- 
stantly liable  to  mistake  himself  for  the  other,  and 
that  frequently  in  the  morning  when  he  awoke  he 
addressed  himself  as  his  brother. 

They  also  declared  that  so  many  mistakes  concern- 
ing their  identity  had  been  made  since  their  child- 
hood, that  the  only  thing  each  was  certain  of  now 
was  that  he  must  be  the  other  one  and  not  lumself. 


"v*! 


/■ES 

i-s  were  on   the 

structure  bore 

modern  house- 

a,  "  house-boat " 

lays.      Perhaps 

of  the  floating 

I  the  hikes  and 

ihelter,  a  home, 

1  one  place   to 

ranger  were  the 
3  rough  boards 
3  were  moving, 
1  there ;  but  in 
nong  others  the 
leard  addressed 

men,  on  board, 
very  strongly 
i  been  a  stand- 
it  each  was  con- 
the  other,  and 
n  he  awoke  he 

istakes  concem- 
nce  their  child- 
certain  of  now 
nd  not  lumself. 


LEAVING   HOME 


11 


'%' 


The  resemblance  was  not  to  be  wondered  at,  for  they 
were  twin  brothers,  and  rejoiced  in  the  names  of  Tom 
and  Jerry. 

There  wiW,  however,  nothing  in  their  make-up  to 
remind  one  of  that  strange  sign,  "  Tom  and  Jerry," 
frequently  seen  in  the  streets  of  our  cities  to-day,  and 
the  only  account  they  had  of  the  origin  of  their 
names  was  the  fondness  of  their  father  in  the  years 
past  for  that  much-advertised  beverage. 

Near  these  boys  was  standing  a  girl,  perhaps  a 
year  and  a  half  younger  than  they,  and  yet  she  was 
nearly  as  large ;  and  from  her  features  any  one  at 
once  would  have  perceived  that  she  was  a  sister  of 
both.  She  was  strong  and  fearless,  and  could  wield 
an  oar  with  either  of  them,  and  more  than  once  she 
had  carried  a  gun  when  the  boys  had  started  into 
the  forest  to  search  for  a  bear  which  had  carried  off 
some  helpless  "grunter." 

This  girl  was  frequently  addressed  as  "  Nance,"  and 
apparently  the  boys  were  depending  upon  her  as  one 
of  their  aids  in  this  expe  lition  upon  which  thtj-  were 
so  strangely  starting. 

Two  younger  children  also  were  on  the  raft,  and  a 
woman  who  evidently  was  the  mother  of  all  the 
young  persons  we  have  mentioned.  She,  however, 
appeared  to  be  the  least  interested  member  of  the 
party.  She  seemed  to  be  worn  and  weary,  and  as  she 
held  the  younger  children  in  her  lap,  frequently  look- 


ipjOTr. 


12 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


ing  back  at  tlie  bank  they  were  leaving,  she  uttered 
many  complaints,  and  in  a  fretful,  scolding  way 
bewailed  the  misfortunes  which  had  overtaken  her. 
But  the  girl  was  as  cheery  and  brave  as  her  mother 
was  fretful,  and  the  younger  children  were  more 
interested  in  the  departure  than  hi  the  complainta 
they  heard,  to  which  it  was  evident  they  long  had 
been  accustomed. 

The  time  when  our  stoiy  begins  was  on  a  bright 
summer  day  in  1813.  The  broad  river  on  which  our 
party  had  set  sail  was  the  Alabama.  Along  the  shore, 
which  they  were  now  leaving,  grew  rushes  rank  and 
tall,  while  in  places  mai-shes  and  bogs  could  be  seen, 
and  behind  all  stretched  the  woods,  fading  away  in 
the  distance. 

It  wjis  early  in  the  morning,  and  even  the  slow-fly- 
ing birds  apparently  had  a  little  more  life  than  usual. 
The  ever-present  crow  made  all  aware  of  his  presence, 
and  with  his  hoai-se  calls  followed  our  voyagers,  either 
from  curiosity  as  to  their  movements  or  in  the  hope 
that  something  would  be  left  by  them  for  him. 

Although  it  was  early  in  the  morning  the  heat  was 
intense,  and  the  yellow  glare  of  the  sun  spread  over 
the  river  and  the  forests  alike,  and  soon  the  members 
of  our  party  were  sweltering  beneath  it.  It  was  a 
strange  voyage  which  they  had  begun,  but  adventures 
far  more  strange  were  before  them. 

The  boat,  propelled  by  the  long  oars,  moved  steadily 


t"^ 


■'  ^'i.l^A'iKlif-^-.-^rVi'»mti.. 


LEAVING  HOME 


13 


5,  sho  uttered 
scolding  way 
vertaken  hex*. 
IS  her  mother 
n  were  more 
le  complaints 
hey  long  had 

8  on  a  bright 
on  which  our 
ong  the  shore, 
lies  rank  and 
!0uld  be  seen, 
iding  away  in 

1  the  slow-fly- 
ie  than  usual. 
if  his  presence, 
ayagers,  either 
or  in  the  hope 
or  him. 
y  the  heat  was 
in  spread  over 
1  the  members 
it.  It  was  a 
)ut  adventures 

noved  steadily 


onward.  The  boys  had  kept  her  all  the  time  near  the 
shore,  and  even  though  they  were  going  down  stream 
they  had  not  dared  to  venture  out  into  tli3  channel. 
A  light  wind  was  blowing,  and  they  were  talking  of 
taking  advantage  of  it  by  rigging  a  small  sail  which 
they  had  brought  with  them. 

As  the  boys  handled  the  oara,  the  girl,  whom,  as 
we  have  said,  they  frequently  addressed  as  "  Nance," 
used  a  long  pole,  and  with  it  not  merely  guided 
the  raft,  but  assisted  in  sending  it  forward. 

Their  streaming  faces  and  panting  breath  soon  com- 
pelled them  all  to  stop  for  a  time,  and  the  only  force 
that  sent  the  strange  craft  onward  was  the  little  sail 
near  the  bow  which  with  much  difficulty  they  at 
last  had  succeeded  in  rigging. 

"  Why  do  you  stop  ?  "  asked  the  woman,  in  a  com- 
plaining tone.  "  We  never  ought  to  have  begun  at 
all.  It's  all  your  fault,  l)oys,  for  if  you  had  followed 
my  advice  we  never  should  have  left  our  home  on 
this  wild-goose  chase.  Oh,  dear!  I  don't  believe 
there  ever  was  a  woman  who  had  such  misfortunes 
as  I.  It's  nothing  but  bad  luck  and  sorrow  every 
day." 

Tom  was  silent  while  his  mother  spoke,  but  after  a 
moment's  pause  he  cheerily  replied,  "  It's  too  hot  for 
such  hard  work,  mother.  We  must  save  our  strength, 
for  there  is  no  knowing  when  we  shall  have  to  use  it 
aU." 


14 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNfi    BKAVKS 


"  liut  I've  no  strength  to  save,"  roi)li"(l  tho  com- 
plaining woman.  "  Nothing  hnt  had  hick  has  come 
to  ns  ever  since  yonr  father  tell  under  that  tree.  He 
would  drink  ho  nuich,  and  that's  what  he  got  for  it 
all.  I  don't  know  hut  this  is  woiwe  than  the  hroken 
leg  ho  had,  and  the  long  fever  through  that  winter 
before  he  died.  Oh,  dear !  He  was  too  fond  of  'Tom 
and  Jerry.' " 

"  But  you  know  we're  doing  the  l)e8t  we  can  now," 
replied  Tom. 

"  I  suppose  you  think  you  are,"  said  his  njother. 
"  If  I  was  one  that  ever  complained,  I  suppose  I 
should  say  something  about  the  foolish  way  in  which 
we  have  left  everything  we  owned  behind  us  and 
started  out  on  this  river.  Nothing  but  bad  luck," 
she  added,  moaning  and  shaking  her  head,  "  ever 
since  we  came  here.  I  don't  know  why  we  ever  left 
York  State.  We  were  well  enough  off  there,  and 
in  the  place  which  we've  just  left  the  Injuns  never 
threatened  us." 

"  But  you  were  poor,  mother,"  replied  Tom,  who, 
although  he  was  accustomed  to  the  constant  com- 
plainings of  his  mother,  yet  looked  at  her  with  a  feel- 
ing of  compassion,  for  her  lot  had  been  a  hard  one, 
and  many  trials  and  bitter  experiences  had  come  to 
her  during  the  ten  years  in  wliich  they  had  lived  on 
the  little  plot  of  land  they  had  taken  near  the  Ala- 
bama river. 


'  ;iS«J.»-J'iilSttlJi«»J«WW!HK,"»'- '  -■"-■» 


kVKS 

rci)li"(l  the  com- 
l  luck  liius  coint) 
r  that  tree.  Ho 
lilt  lie  got  for  it 
than  the  broken 
ugh  that  winter 
too  fond  of  '  Tom 

3st  we  can  now," 

said  his  mother, 
led,  I  suppose  I 
isli  way  in  which 
I  behind  us  and 
but  bad  luck," 
ler  head,  "  ever 
ivhy  we  ever  left 
1  off  there,  and 
ihe  Injuns  never 

plied  Tom,  who, 
e  constant  com- 
t  her  with  a  feel- 
been  a  hard  one, 
Bes  had  come  to 
ley  had  lived  on 
3n  near  the  Ala- 


LEAVINO   HOME 


15 


"  But  we  were  poor,"  repeatcil  Tom,  "and  father 
thought  there  would  be  no  chau(!e  for  you  at  all  there 
ill  York  State,  and  you  know  how  he  listened  to  the 
stories  they  told  of  what  could  be  done  here.  I've 
heard  him  tell  it  from  beginning  to  end,  lots  of 
times." 

"  Yes,  he  was  poor  then,  but  he  is  dead  now ;  and 
iicre  we  are  out  on  this  river  poorer  than  ever  wo 
were.  We've  not  even  a  home  now,  and  everything 
we  own  in  the  world  we've  left  behind  us."  And 
without  a  tear,  but  with  a  prolonged  whine,  she 
turned  and  looked  towards  the  place  which  she  had 
called  home,  and  which  still  could  be  seen  in  the 
distance. 

The  little  hut,  or  house,  of  logs  in  which  they  had 
lived  for  ten  yeai-s  was  yet  visible  to  all,  standing  out 
iis  it  did  on  the  bluff  beliind  them,  and  they  stood  for 
11  moment  sadly  looking  back  at  the  scene.  The  two 
lows  which  they  had  owned,  and  the  poor  old  horse 
also,  were  within  sight,  and  appeared  to  be  watching 
the  departing  party  as  if  surprised  that  they  should 
be  left  behind. 

"They'll  not  go  far  away,  mother,"  said  Tom, 
speaking  aloud  the  thought  that  was  in  his  own  mind, 
and  which  he  suspected  was  in  his  mother's  also. 
"  They'll  not  go  far  away.  We've  often  turned  them 
out  for  five  or  six  weeks  at  a  time,  and  left  them  to 
shirk  for  themselves.    The  creek  is  right  above,  and 


v«1i 

•i  i  L 


:  ;i 


1 


le 


TErUMSEIl'S   YOUNIS   nUAVES 


just  l)olo\v  (Mir  pliico  is  the  best  feed  ll'cie  ia  aluiig 
the  liver  for  miles." 

"  Hut  suppose  they  dou't  keep  near  the  river,"  said 

his  mother. 

"  Oh,  but  they  will !  "  replied  Tom.  "  The  feed  is 
iKitter  there,  and  besides  they'll  keep  near  home,  and 
the   alligatow  will  stop   thorn    from   swimming   the 

creek. " 

"  Oh,  but  the  Injuns  may  get  them ! "  again  com- 
plained the  woman,  as  if  determined  to  see  nothing 
but  the  dark  side.  "  Those  awful  Injuns  !  —  though 
to  mo  they  always  seemed  good  enough.  I  never  had 
any  trouble  with  them,  and  I  don't  believe  half  the 
stories  that  are  told  about  their  cruelty.  Ever  since 
we  nursed  Kanawlohalla  through  his  long  sickness 
they've  been  the  best  neighbor  we've  ever  had." 

But  Tom  became  silent  again,  and  watched  the 
watera  over  which  they  were  psissing.  He  had 
little  hope  that  they  would  escape  the  notice  of  the 
Indians  on  their  voyage,  and  yet  it  was  for  that  very 
purpose  that  our  party  were  embarked  on  their 
strange  craft,  and  were  leaving  behind  them  almost 
all  their  possessions. 

It  was  a  heavy  care  for  boys  no  older  than  they, 
and  yet  they  had  kept  from  their  mother  the  full 
knowledge  they  had  of  the  dangers  to  be  feared  from 
the  Indians  of  that  region. 

"There  are  a  couple  of  Indians  down  on  the  shore 


! 


AVES 

;d  tl'cre  ia  along 

ar  the  river,"  said 

111.  "  The  feed  is 
p  near  home,  and 
11   swimming   tlie 

um!"  again  com- 
>d  to  see  nothing 
Injuns  !  —  though 
ugh.  I  never  luid 
t  believe  half  the 
lelty.     Ever  since 

his  long  sickness 
re've  ever  had." 

and  watched  the 
passing.     He    had 

the  notice  of  the 
t  was  for  that  very 
mbarked  on  their 
ehind  them  almost 

ID  older  than  they, 
ir  mother  the  full 
3  to  be  feared  from 

down  on  the  shore 


LEAVING  HOME 


17 


now,"   said   Jerry  to  his  brother  as  he  approached. 
"  Do  you  S(!e  them?" 

"  Yes  ;  but  what  are  we  to  do?  We  can't  steer  this 
raft  out  into  the  river,"  replied  'I'om. 

"  No ;  the  only  thing  we  can  do  is  to  go  on,  and  act 
as  though  we  were  not  afraid.  If  these  two  are  all  there 
are,  thtire  won't  be  any  trouble." 

"  I  know  who  they  are,"  said  Jerry,  a  moment  later. 
"It's  Kanaw  and  ("aptain  Jim,  and  yet  it  would  be 
hard  work  to  recognize  them  if  wo  didn't  know  them 
pretty  well."  - 

The  young  Indians,  who  stood  upon  the  shore  in 
their  war-paint,  and  motitmless  as  tlie  trees,  looked 
the  very  personification  of  savage  life.  They  were 
both  young,  not  mucli  if  any  older  than  the  boys 
in  our  party.  They  waited  until  the  raft  came  op- 
posite, and  then,  with  a  wave  of  the  hand  down  the 
stream,  as  if  indicating  the  necessity  of  haste,  they 
themselves  quickly  turned  into  the  forest  and  dis- 
appeared. 

"Yes,  they  are  Tecumseh's  young  braves,  that's 
sure,"  said  Jerry,  "  though  I  didn't  see  where  Con- 
dawhaw  was.     He  certainly  wasn't  with  them." 

"  I  don't  care  where  he  was,"  replied  his  brother. 
"  They  wouldn't  have  come  down  to  the  bank  and 
waited  for  us  to  ptuss  if  there  hadn't  been  some  need 
of  it.  It  means  that  we've  got  to  hurry,  and  it  won't 
do  for  us  to  crawl  along  with  just  this  little  breath  of 


A 


pi 


lill 

i 

,1 

'v  :     ■  i 

t 

ft      • 

1 

18 


TKCUMSKirS   YOITNO   HIIAVKS 


wind."     And  both  Imys  with  new  zeiil  mid  ii  deepen- 
ing fear  oneo  more  took  up  tlie  U\\^  oaw  and  l)egan 

to  row. 

Tom  h)oked  uhoiit  to  see  if  his  mother  liad  noticed 
thti  hail  they  had  received  from  th(!  whore,  hut  she 
liad  gone  insicUi  of  the  riuh"  shanty  they  had  erected, 
and  taken  the  ehihheii ;  and  as  the  need  of  greater  hasto 
had  not  Iwen  diseovcued  by  her,  Tom  encouraged  his 
brotiier,  and  both  l)egan  to  exert  all  their  strength 
at  the  oars.  The  clumsy  raft  began  to  move  more 
rapidly,  although  to  the  eager  boys  it  seemed  as 
though  their  speed  had  not  i)erceptibly  ii\creased. 

"What  is  it,  Tom?"  asked  Nance,  as  a  few  mo- 
mentw  later  she  apiiroached  her  brother. 

"Oh,  nothing  much,  but  we've  got  to  jog  on," 
replied  Tom.  "Don't  be  frightened,  Nance;  it's 
nothing  new,  only  the  same  reason  that  made  ns 
leave  home,  makes  us  want  to  leave  it  farther  and 
faster  l)ebind  us  now." 

"Nobody  knows  what  the  next  few  miles  will 
show,"  said  Nance,  "but  you  can't  fool  me,  either 
one  of  you.  I  know  you've  seen  sometliing  that's 
frightened  you,  and  you're  trying  to  go  faster  on  that 
account.     What  can  1  do  to  help?" 

"  Well,  to  be  honest,  Nance,"  replied  her  brother, 
"  I  am  in  a  hurry  to  get  beyond  that  point  yonder  as 
soon  as  I  can,  for  there's  no  knowing  what  may  hap- 
pen to  us  there." 


VVKS 


LEAVING   HOME 


19 


il  and  a  deepeii- 
g  oiii-s  mid  Ik-jjiiii 

itlu!!'  had  iiotic't'd 
I!  hIiou',  l)nt  hIic 
lioy  Imd  t'li'ctod, 
id  of  greater  has  to 
111  encouraged  liis 
ill  their  Htreiigth 
m  to  move  more 
ys  it  seemed  as 
tibly  increased, 
ice,  as  a  few  mo- 
uther. 

got  to  jog  on," 
3ned,  Nance;  it's 
on  that  made  ns 
,ve  it  fartlier  and 


"  I'll  take  the  pole  iigain,"  said  the  resolute  girl; 
"  I  know  I  can  liel[)  some.'*  And  suiting  the  action 
to  her  word,  she  Itegaii  to  work  again  with  the  long 
and  (iluinsy  poh^  Tliey  kept  on  in  their  c<»ui'se, 
watchful  of  tlie  shore  and  appiircntly  forgetful  of 
tlie  heat,  which  every  moment  became  more  and  more 
intense. 

The  "  [)oint  "  to  which  Tom  had  referred  was  a 
little  peninsula  jutting  out  into  the  river,  and  wiw 
about  a  mill!  and  a  half  farther  down  the  stream.  It 
wius  covered  with  trees  which  would  afford  an  excel- 
lent hiding-place  for  any  party  that  might  wish  to 
attack  them  and  yet  remain  concealed  themselves. 
The  river  was  narrower  there,  and  lus  the  channel 
made  in  nearer  the  shore,  the  danger  would  lie  greatl}' 
increased.  The  waniing  signal  of  the  young  bmves 
added  to  the  fear  of  the  Iniys,  and  they  knew  that  they 
were  api)roachiug  one  of  the  perils  of  their  voyage. 


t   few   miles  will 

,'t  fool  me,  either 

something   that's 

>  go  faster  on  that 

plied  her  brother, 
It  point  yonder  as 
ig  what  may  hap- 


N 


20 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


CHAPTER  II 


THE  VISIT   OP  TECUMPES 


IN  order  to  understand  something  of  the  meaning  of 
the  incident  related  in  the  previous  cliapter,  it  is 
necessary  for  us  to  describe  some  of  the  movements 
of  the  nations  which  then  were  struggUng  in  the 
southern  part  of  what  is  now  the  territory  of  the 
United  States. 

Mississippi  was  already  a  Territory,  having  been 
organized  in  1798,  and  at  this  time  had  a  regular 
assembly  and  a  full  political  organization. 

By  an  act  of  Georgia,  in  the  spring  of  1802  about 
a  hundred  thousand  square  miles,  which  now  consti- 
tute the  State  of  Alabama,  came  into  the  possession 
of  the  United  States.  It  was  very  sparsely  settled, 
and  the  Indians  were  numerous  and  powerful.  In  the 
east  were  the  Creeks  and  Cherokees,  and  in  the  west 
were  the  Choctaws  and  Chickasaws. 

France  had  owned  the  vast  and  not  very  clearly 
defined  region  of  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  and 
the  domain  that  was  watered  by  its  tributaries. 
This  region  extended  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  the 


e  meaning  of 
chapter,  it  is 
e  movements 
fgling  in  the 
dtory  of    the 

having  been 
ad  a  regular 
ion. 

)f  1802  about 
1  now  consti- 
he  possession 
irsely  settled, 
erful.  In  the 
id  in  the  west 

t  very  clearly 
ississippi,  and 
s  tributaries. 
Mexico  to  the 


THE  VISIT  OF  TECUMSEH 


21 


forty-ninth  parallel  of  latitude,  and  westward  to  the 
South  Sea  (Pacific  Ocean).  But  in  1763,  France, 
after  the  European  struggle  in  which  she  had  not  been^ 
successful,  ceded  to  England  all  of  the  region  east  of 
the  Mississippi  except  Florida,  and  to  Spain  all  that 
was  west  of  t/he  river. 

In  1802,  however,  it  Avas  learned,  to  the  great  cha- 
grin of  the  Americans,  that  Spain,  by  a  secret  treaty, 
had  given  to  France  all  of  I^ouisiana  that  was  in  her 
possession,  and  also  east  and  west  Florida.  This 
would  gi  /e  France,  now  powerful  and  ambitious,  the 
control  of  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  and  would 
be  a  perpetual  menace  to  the  United  States. 

Thomas  Jefferson,  clearly  foreseeing  all  that  this 
would  mean,  at  once  entered  into  negotiations  with 
Mr.  Livingston,  then  our  ambassador  to  France,  for 
the  purchase  of  New  Orleans,  at  least. 

By  wise  movements,  and  the  secret  threat  of  an  alli- 
ance with  Great  Britain,  the  Americans  were  surprised 
as  well  as  delighted  when  they  found  the  French  ready 
to  sell  all  they  had  of  Louisiana,  and  for  the  sum  of 
fifteen  million  dollars  the  purchase  was  effected.  It 
was  then  that  Bonaparte  uttered  that  ofb-quoted 
sentiment:  "This  accession  of  ten-itory  strengthens 
forever  the  power  of  the  United  States  ;  and  I  have 
just  given  to  England  a  maritime  rival  that  will 
sooner  or  later  humble  her  pride." 

But  all  this  was  exceedingly  distasteful  to  the 


22 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG   BRAVES 


Spuiiiiinls.  Tlu'y  were  left  in  possession  of  the 
Floriiliis,  but  began  in  a  very  treacherous  r.ianner  to 
act  with  the  liritish,  and  many  complications  arase 
about  the  time  of  the  War  of  1812.  Movements  had 
l)een  inaugurated  previous  to  the  war  which  finally 
led  to  the  possession  of  l)oth  Floric'.us  by  the  United 
States,  and  whiT^  Louisiana  was  admitted  as  a  State 
on  the  8th  of  April,  1812,  insurrection  and  constant 
trouble  followed.  General  Wilkinson  had  gained 
iMobile,  and  the  Spaniards  liad  withdrawn  to  Pensa- 
cola,  where  the  liritish  also  were  very  active. 

In  the  autumn  of  1812,  after  Hull  had  suiTcndered 
the  Michigan  territory,  Tecumseh,  who  already  had 
been  among  the  southern  Indians,  again  went  south. 
With  him  went  his  brother,  "  the  Prophet,"  and  about 
thirty  warriois.  There  can  be  little  doubt  tliat  the 
great  Indian  was  a  devoted  patriot  and  lover  of  his 
own  kindred,  and  that  his  supreme  desire  wsu*  to 
drive  the  white  men  from  the  country  and  restore  the 
land  once  more  to  his  own  people.  But  he  was  aided 
by  the  British,  and  incited  by  them  to  do  his  utmost 
to  arouse  in  the  Indians  a  spirit  of  revolt  against  the 
Americans. 

As  the  party  passed  on,  the  Choctaws  and  Chicka- 
saws  refused  to  listen  to  their  words,  but  among  the 
Creeks  and  Seminoles  they  found  many  eager  to  join 

them. 

Tecumseh  and  his  party  journeyed  on  to  Coosawda, 


ES 

sssion  of  the 
lus  liianner  to 
liciitioiis  iirase 
loveinents  liad 

which  finally 
by  the  United 
tted  as  a  State 
I  and  constant 
n  had  gained 
•awn  to  Pensa- 
iictive. 

ad  suiTcndered 
ho  already  had 
lin  went  south. 
Iiet,"  and  about 
doubt  tliat  the 
lid  lover  of  his 

desire  wsi«  to 
and  restore  the 
ut  he  was  aided 
)  do  his  utmost 
'^olt  against  the 

ws  and  Chicka- 
but  among  the 
ny  eager  to  join 

)n  to  Coosawda, 


THE  VISIT  OF  TECUMSEII 


28 


on  the  AlalKima,  and  at  the  "  I lickoiy  Ground"  he 
addressed  a  great  asseml)ly  of  the  Creeks.  This  was 
late  in  Octolier,  1812.  His  eloquence,  zeal,  and 
burning  enthusiasm,  in  addition  to  the  fame  he 
already  had  won  ius  a  warrior,  gained  him  many  fol- 
lowers. 

He  then  crossed  the  Coosa  and  weftt  on  to  Toocka- 
batcha,  the  ancient  capital  of  the  Creeks.  There 
Colonel  Hawkins,  the  United  States  Indian  agent, 
had  called  a  great  council,  and  five  thousand  Indians 
iiad  responded.  In  the  assembly  there  were  also 
iniiny  negroes  and  white  men. 

.  Among  the  latter  were  our  two  boys,  Tom  and 
Jerry  Cuny.  Their  home  was  not  many  miles  dis- 
tant from  the  meeting-place,  and  thither  they  had 
come  with  three  young  Creek  Indians  who  for  yeai-s 
had  l)een  their  playmates  and  friends.  These  Indian 
lK>ys  rejoiced  in  the  names  of  Kanawlohalla  (which 
meant  a  head  on  a  pole),  Quilutimac,  and  Condawhaw  ; 
but  their  white  companions  never  called  them  by 
their  proper  names,  either  because  the  names  them- 
selves were  almost  unpronounceable,  or  because  the 
custom  of  the  times  was  to  give  the  red  men  a 
"  white  "  name.  As  a  consequence  the  boys  always 
called  Quilutimac  "Captain  Jim" — in  honor  of 
Captain  Jim  Fife,  a  noted  half-breed  warrior. 

Tom  and   Jerry  long  had   l)een   warm  friends  of 
these  Indian  boys,  and  spoke  their  language  almost 


■i  '^ 


1 


a 


:w 


24 


TECUMSEirS   YOUNG   BRAVES 


as  well  as  the  Indians  did  theirs,  which  is  saying  a 
good  deal.  They  had  hunted  and  fished  and  camped 
together,  and  at  their  home  Captain  Jim  had  been 
nursed  througli  a  long  illness.  Their  kindness  and 
care  seemed  to  have  been  appreciated  by  the  young 
Indians,  and  as  we  shall  see  farther  on  in  our  story 
l)ecame  the  cause  of  many  deeds  that  greatly  aided 
them,  and  perhaps  saved  the  life  of  more  than  one. 

The  boys  were  seated  on  the  ground  with  their 
friends  when  the  great  Tecumseh  approached  the 
assembly.  He  and  his  warriors  had  remained  among 
the  outer  spectatora  until  tlie  close  of  the  first  day's 
address  of  the  agent.  Then  at  the  head  of  his  thirty 
warriors,  all  naked  except  for  their  ornaments  and  flaps, 
their  heads  adorned  with  eagles'  feathers  and  their 
faces  painted  black,  with  great  dignity,  they  marched 
into  the  centre  of  the  square.  Buffalo-tails  dragged 
behind  them,  suspended  from  their  waists,  and  also 
were  hung  from  their  arms. 

Their  appearance  wiis  hideous  in  the  extreme,  and 
yet  as  they  marched  around  and  around  in  the  square, 
the  boys  noticed  how  attentive  the  Indian  assembly 
was,  and  how  impressed  their  young  friends  were  by 
the  appearance  and  movements  of  the  great  chief  and 
his  party. 

After  they  had  gone  around  the  square  a  number 
of  times  tliey  approached  each  chief  and  gave  the 
Indian  salutation,  which  was  a  shake  of  the  hand  at 


1 


'■ES 

ich  is  saying  a 
ed  ai;d  camped 
Jim  had  been 
r  kindness  and 
1  by  the  yonng 
on  in  our  story 
,t  greatly  aided 
)re  than  one. 
und  with  their 
ipproached  the 
Bmained  among 
■  the  first  day's 
ad  of  his  thirty 
inents  and  flaps, 
thers  and  their 
y,  they  marched 
do-tails  dragged 
ivaists,  and  also 

he  extreme,  and 
id  in  the  square, 
Indian  assembly 
friends  were  by 
!  great  chief  and 

square  a  number 
f  and  gave  the 
3  of  the  Ixand  at 


THE  VISIT   OF  TECUM SEH 


f5 


arm's  length.     Then  they  exchanged  tobacco,  which 
was  a  token  of  enduring  friendship. 

"Captain  Isaac  doesn't  seem  to  warm  up  to 
Tecumseh  very  fiust,"  said  Jerry  to  Captain  Jim, 
who  was  seated  next  to  him ;  but  his  friend  made 
no  reply  except  to  scowl  as  he  listened  to  Captain 
Isaac,  one  of  the  leading  chiefs,  who  boldly  declared 
that  "  Tecumseh  was  a  bad  man,"  and  shook,  with 
great  contempt,  at  the  warrior  the  buffalo  horns  which 
he  wore  on  his  head. 

In  this  state  Tecumseh  appeared  in  the  square 
each  day,  and  each  day  our  boys  returned  to  the 
council,  fascinated  and  yet  fearful.  But  when  Haw- 
kins, the  Indian  agent,  departed,  the  great  chief  kept 
silence  no  longer.  That  night  there  was  a  grand 
council  packed  with  eager  and  excited  listeners. 
The  Indian  boys  had  been  silent  during  three  days, 
and  Tom  and  Jerry  were  more  and  more  fearful  of 
the  influences  at  work  upon  them. 

And  yet  the  boys  themselves  were  greatly  moved 
by  the  warrior  from  the  Northwest  as  he  spoke  that 
night.  His  words  were  as  eloquent  as  they  were 
dangerous,  and  the  speaker  seemed  to  be  almost  on 
fire.  He  pictured  the  condition  of  the  Indians  learning 
to  till  the  soil,  with  great  contempt.  The  loom  and  the 
plouglus  were  not  the  implements  of  Indian  braves. 
Squaws  and  white  men  only  were  fit  for  such  work. 
He  told  how  grasping  and  cruel  were  the  white  men, 


n 


h 


26 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG   BRAVES 


and  us  for  the  Indians,  only  slavery  or  extinetion  was 
Ixjfore  them.  The  bow  and  the  arrow,  the  cluh  and 
the  scalping-knife,  were  the  implements  and  weapons 
of  men,  and  he  urged  them  not  to  forget  how  to  use 
them.  As  he  drew  his  eloquent  speech  to  a  close,  he 
told  them  how  he  had  come  from  the  far-distant  Great 
Lakes,  because  their  friends,  the  British,  had  urged 
him  to  come  and  summon  them  to  follow  on  the  war- 
path, and  drive  the  white  men  either  into  the  sea  or 
across  it  to  the  lands  whence  they  had  come. 

It  was  a  marvellous  speech  and  marvellous  in  its 
effect.  The  warriors  were  greatly  excited,  and  the 
feeling  was  becoming  intense.  But  Tecumseh's  wily 
brother,  the  Prophet,  whom  the  British  had  informed 
that  a  comet  was  about  to  appear,  declared  to  the 
excited  warriors  that  "they  would  see  the  arm  of 
Tecumseh  like  pale  fire  stretched  out  on  the  vault 
of  heaven  at  a  certain  time,  and  that  thus  they  would 
know  by  that  sign  when  to  begin  war." 

It  was  ali^ost  morning  when  the  council  broke  up, 
p,nd  already  more  than  half  of  the  assembled  warriors 
had  promisod  to  make  war  upon  the  Americans. 

Tom  and  Jerry  looked  about  for  their  Indian 
friends,  but  they  had  suddenly  and  quietly  disap- 
peared. Stirred  by  the  words  of  the  warrior  and  the 
Prophet,  already,  although  our  boys  were  not  aware 
of  it,  they  were  numbered  among  Tecumseh's  Yotmg 
Braves. 


1 


.;3.i'iWiair'il"»'iVa>" 


TUB   VISIT  OF  TECUMSKII 


VES 

r  extinction  was 
[)W,  tiio  clul)  uiul 
its  and  weapons 
i>rget  how  to  use 
!ch  to  a  close,  he 
far-distant  Great 
itish,  had  urged 
lUow  on  the  war- 
[•  into  the  sea  or 
d  come. 

narvellous  in  its 
excited,  and  the 
Tecumseh's  wily 
ish  had  informed 
,  declared  to  the 

see  the  arm  of 
)ut  on  the  vault 

thus  they  would 
ar." 

jouncil  broke  up, 
jsembled  warriors 
le  Americans, 
for  tlieir  Indian 
id  quietly  disap- 
e  warrior  and  the 
}  were  not  aware 
VecumseKs  Young 


«f 


Tccumsifh  now  wont  on,  visiting  all  the  loading 
Trook  towns,  and  gaining  frionds  and  foUowere  every 
day.  Among  the  greatest  of  these  was  Weather- 
ford,  a  half-breed,  lus  powerful  as  he  wius  keen  and 
brave.  But  some  withstood  him,  well  aware  what 
the  end  of  such  a  struggle  as  he  proposed  must  be. 
One  of  these  was  a  noted  chief  named  Tustinuggee- 
Thlucco,  whom  Tecumseh  was  extremely  desirous 
of  winning,  but  who  remained  the  firm  friend  of  the 
United  States  to  the  end.  Angered  and  chagrined 
by  his  refusal,  at  last  Tecumseh,  pointing  his  finger 
at  his  opponent's  face,  said :  "  Tustinuggee-Thlucco, 
your  blood  is  white.  You  have  taken  my  red  sticks 
and  my  talk,  but  you  do  not  mean  to  fight.  I  know 
the  reason.  You  do  not  believe  the  Great  Spirit  has 
sent  me.  You  shall  Ixjlieve  it.  I  will  leave  directly 
and  go  straight  to  Detroit.  When  I  get  there  I  will 
stamp  my  foot  on  the  ground  and  shake  down  every 
house  in  Toockabatcha." 

His  listener  long  thought  over  this  speech,  which 
appears  the  more  remarkable  when  it  is  recalled  tluit 
when  the  comet  appeared,  which  had  been  foretold  as 
"  the  long  arm  of  Tecumseh,"  it  was  accompanied  by 
an  earthquake  that  made  the  houses  at  Toockabatcha 
reel  as  if  about  to  fall.  The  frightened  Indians  ran 
out  of  their  huts,  shouting :  "  Tecumseh  is  at  Detroit ! 
Tecumseh  is  at  Detroit !  We  feel  the  stamp  of  his 
foot  I" 


28 


TKCUMSEirS   YOUNG   BUAVES 


y 


But  the  "  IVi(,'  Wiiniur,"  though  siuUy  tnmhk'd,  did 
not  respond,  and  continued  firm  in  hi.s  allegiiince  to     ' 
the  United  States. 

Colonel  Hawkins,  the  Indian  agent  wo  have  men- 
tioned, did  not  believe  anything  more  serious  than  an 
Indian  revolt  would  result  from  Tecuinseh's  visit. 
Tustinuggee-'rhrucco  was  doing  all  in  his  power  tt) 
prevent  an  uprising,  hut  a  half-breed  chief,  named 
Peter  McQueen,  was  working  hard  on  the  other  side. 
The  "war  dance  of  the  Lakes,"  which  Tecumseh  had 
taught  the  Creeks,  was  often  practised,  and  the  war 
feeling  became  more  and  more  intense,  although 
many  of  the  Creeks  still  opposed  it,  and  indeed  never 
entered  into  it. 

The  few  scattered  white  settlers  were  now  in  great 
peril.     They  were  liable  to  be  cut  off  or  massacred  in 
their  own  homes  at  any  time.     In  July  the  battle  of 
Burnt  Com  Creek  wiis  fought,  the  first  engagement 
of  the   Creek  war,  and  the  victory  rested  with   the 
Indians.     The  whites  also  were  busy  now,  and   the 
British  and  Spaniards  were  doing  all  in  their  power 
to  increase  the  warlike  feeling  among  the  Indians. 
Pensacola  became  their  headquarters,  and  arms  and 
supplies  were  furnished  the  red  men  from  that  place. 
A  chain  of  rude   forts  or  defences   had  been  built 
between   the    Tombigbee  -  and   the   Alabama.      The 
leading  place  of  refuge  was  within  the  strong  stockade 
which^had  been  built  around  the  house  of  Samuel 


THE   VISIT  OF  TECUMSEH 


29 


troubled,  did 
allegiiuico  to 

vo  have  men- 
U'ious  than  an 
umsoh's  visit, 
his  power  to 
chief,  named 
bhe  other  side. 
Pecumseh  had 
I,  and  the  war 
nsc,  although 
I  indeed  never 

e  now  in  great 
r  maijsacred  in 
the  battle  of 
st  engagement 
isted  with   the 
now,  and   the 
in  their  power 
r  the  Indians. 
I,  and  arms  and 
rom  that  place, 
lad  been  built 
dabama.      The 
strong  stockade 
)use  of  Samuel 


Minis,  a  short  distance  from  the  boat-yard  on  Tensaw 
lake,  about  a  mile  east  of  the  Alabama  river,  and 
about  ten  miles  distant  from  the  place  where  it 
joined  the  Tombigbee. 

Families  were  now  abandoning  their  homes  and 
fleeing  for  safety.  It  had  been  a  long  time  since 
our  friends  had  seen  Tecumseh's  young  braves. 
Formerly,  and  at  unexpected  times,  they  had  come 
to  their  home,  and  often  remained  for  several  days, 
only  to  disappear  at  last  as  suddenly  aa  they  had 
arrived. 

One  night  when  Jerry  was  milking,  as  he  arose 
from  his  milking-stool  he  was  startled  to  see  Captain 
Jim,  in  war-paint  and  feathera,  stimding  behind  him. 
He  declined  the  invitation  to  enter  the  house,  and  in 
a  few  words  indicated  to  his  white  friend  the  necessity 
there  was  for  them  to  abandon  their  homo  and  seek 
some  place  of  safety  at  once. 

The  advice  had  been  declined  after  a  long  talk  by 
the  family,  and  several  days  passed,  during  which 
rumors  of  fires  and  massacres  frequently  came.  The 
days  were  now  passed  in  fear,  no  one  venturing  far 
from  home,  and  a  careful  watch  was  kept  at  all  hours. 

Just  a  week  had  gone,  when,  at  precisely  the  same 
time  in  the  day  as  on  his  former  visit,  and  in  the  same 
manner,  Captain  Jim  again  appeared  to  Jerry. 

"Go!  Go  now!  Heap  hurry,"  said  the  laconic 
Captain  Jim. 


30 


TECUMSEIT'S  YOUNG   BRAVES 


"Why?  Wliiit'«  the  matter  now?"  iiskcd  Jerry. 
"  Anything  new  ?  " 

"Heap  Creeks,  all  hero.  Like  leaves  on  trees. 
Much  burn  and  many  Hcali)s  ;  "  and  the  young  brave 
pointed  i)roudly  to  a  trophy  he  himself  was  carrying. 

Jerry  shuddered  ;  but  the  young  Indian  waited  for 
no  further  words,  and  turned  and  stiirted  towards  the 
forest.  The  young  pioneer  watched  him  as  far  as 
he  could  see,  and  then  turned  and  entered  the  house. 

The  result  of  his  interview  was  more  seriotis  this 
time,  and  the  warning  words  were  heeded.  Hurriedly 
the  raft  wiis  built  ?i\d  equipped,  and  early  the  next 
morning  the  little  p.irty  started  down  the  Alalwma 
in  the  manner  we  have  described  in  the  preceding 
chapter. 


'M 


AVKS 

^?"  iiskcil  Jerry. 

leiivt'H  oil  trees, 
the  younfj  hravo 
elf  wiis  carrying, 
lulitin  waited  for 
irted  towards  the 
Bd  hill)  as  far  as 
iitered  the  house, 
more  serious  this 
leded.  Hurriedly 
id  early  the  next 
yn  the  Alabama 
n  the  preceding 


AN   UNEXPECTED   ARRIVAL 


31 


CHAPTER    HI 

AN   UNEXPECTED   ARRIVAL  ' 

THE  clumsy  raft  was  now  moving  steadily  onward, 
the  boys  remaining  at  their  places  at  the  oara, 
and  Nance  working  faithfully  with  the  long  pole. 
Their  faces  soon  were  wet  with  pei-spiration,  and 
their  arms  began  to  ache  under  the  strain ;  but  they 
were  strong  boys,  and  had  been  accustomed  to  swing 
the  axe  all  day  long,  and  to  use  the  harrow  and 
the  plough  in  the  newly  broken  ground  around  their 
home,  from  early  morning  until  late  at  night. 

Their  life  had  been  a  hard  one  thus  far,  but  they 
had  not  drawn  back  from  its  demands,  and  had  been 
able  to  ao  more  than  many  men  who  were  much 
older.  Their  father  had  been  a  hard  worker  also, 
and  when  he  had  been  content  to  remain  away  from 
the  settlements,  and  to  let  "  Tom  and  Jerry "  alone, 
had  been  considered  a  successful  man,  and  certainly 
he  had  trained  his  boys  with  great  care. 

As  has  been  related,  he  had  brought  his  little  family 
nearly  ten  years  before  this  time  from  New  York 
State,  led  on  by  the  inducements  a  friend  had  held 


8f 


TECUMSKII'S   YOftNO   IIRAVEH 


forth  to  liiiii,  iiiul  tlie  piomisK  of  tiuick  rotiiriiH  to  1)6 
fouiitl  for  his  IuIk)!'  in  this  new  und  spiU'sc'ly  suttlod 
region  nlong  tho  Ahihania  river. 

lint  iil)out  twice  each  year  he  had  insisted  upon 
vlHiting  the  settlements,  and  his  family  had  come  to 
know  what  this  meant  for  him  and  for  them  all. 
Apparently  he  had  Inien  unahle  to  decline  the  invita- 
tions of  his  friends  there  to  join  them  in  their  drink- 
injr-boutu,  or,  at  lea«t,  he  did  not  decline ;  and  for 
days  after  his  return  from  each  visit  he  did  little 
work,  and  remained  in  a  kind  of  n  stupor,  from  which 
he  roused  himself  only  to  drink  again  from  the  demi- 
john which  he  always  brought  homo  with  him,  and 
which,  so  long  as  it  contained  anything,  stood  be- 
tween him  and  his  work  on  the  little  clearing. 

About  a  year  before  the  time  of  our  story  he  had 
returned  from  one  of  his  periodic  visits  to  the  settle- 
mcntw ;  but  instead  of  falling  into  a  stupor,  its  he 
usually  had,  hi;  had  insisted  upon  resuming  his  work 
of  cutting  down  the  trees,  and  the  very  fii-st  tree 
which  he  had  cut,  as  it  fell,  had  dragged  him  under 
it.  His  leg  had  been  broken  by  the  fall,  and  the 
fever  which  followed,  a  result  of  his  intemperate 
habits  and  neglect  of  the  laws  of  health,  in  a  few 
weeks  had  ended  his  life,  and  left  the  family  ni 
the  charge  of  these  twin  brothei-s,  who  were  men  in 
size  and  almost  in  strength,  but  without  experience, 
and  young  in  yeais. 


EH 


AN  UNEXrECTEI)   AHIIIVAL 


33 


c  returns  to  Iw 
41111'Mt'ly  Hottlod 

.  iiisistod  upon 
ly  hull  conio  to 

for  them  all. 
line  the  invitu- 
in  their  drink- 
eline ;  and  for 

he  did  little 
lor,  from  whieh 
from  the  demi- 
with  him,  and 
ling,  stood  he- 
)  clearing, 
r  story  he  had 
B  to  the  settle- 

Htupor,  as  he 
ining  his  work 
very  fii-st  tree 
jed  him  under 

fall,  and  the 
is  intemperate 
alth,  in  a  few 
the  family  ni 
I  were  men  in 
ut  experience, 


Tom  and  Jerry  had  worked  steadily  and  done  the 
itest  they  could  after  their  father's  (U-ath,  clearing  the 
forests  and  planting  new  fields,  and  were  kiginning 
to  think  their  troubles  would  soon  l)e  ended,  when 
the  Indian  uprising  brought  «ll  their  labore  to  a 
standstill. 

Hurriedly  they  had  constructed  this  raft  we  have 
described,  and  early  in  the  morning  they  placed 
all  the  family  0.1  board,  and  such  things  in  addition 
as  would  he  necessary  for  them  to  have  within  the 
next  few  weeks,  and  boldly  started  forth  on  their 
voyage  down  the  river. 

As  they  worked  at  the  oars  they  talked  in  low 
tones,  each  trying  to  encourage  the  other,  and  speak- 
ing far  more  bravely  than  he  felt  in  his  hoart  tlie 
conditions  of  affairs  would  warrant. 

"  Do  )'ou  suppose  the  Indians  see  us  n'.w?"  asked 
Jerry. 

"Yes,"  replied  Tnii,  -I've  no  doubt  they've  fol- 
lower! ".s,  or  watched,  us  all  along  the  way.  We 
ought  to  bo  farther  oiit  in  the  stream.  We'd  l)e  a 
little  safer  from  attacks  from  the  shore  there,  but  the 
pole  wouldn't  be  of  much  use,  and  that  is  the  only 
thing  we've  got  to  steer  this  old  craft  with,  and  I 
thought  it  might  ho  the  smaller  of  two  evils  to  keep 
in  near  the  shore." 

"  There's  danger  everywhere,"  replied  his  brother, 
"  and  I  confess  I'm  a  <'ood  deal  afraid ;  but  all  we  can 


n. 


w 


34 


TECUMSEH'S  YoUNG  BRAVES 


do  is  to  do  the  best  we  can,  and  keep  our  eyes  on  the 
bank  as  we  go  along.  I'm  glad  the  children  are  in 
the  shanty  with  mother." 

"  So  am  I.  They'll  help  to  keep  her  busy,  and 
maybe  she  can  keep  them  quiet." 

They  continued  on  their  voyage  in  this  way  for 
some  time,  the  boys  resting  occasionally  now,  and 
stopping  to  eat  the  lunch  they  had  brought  Avith  them. 
A  light  wind  had  arisen,  and  they  took  advantage  of 
it  by  again  raising  the  sail  and  resting  from  their 
labor.  Tlie  little  boat  they  had  in  tow  they  fre- 
quently looked  after,  as  in  it  they  had  stored  some  of 
their  food,  so  that  if  it  should  become  necessary  for 
them  to  leave  the  raft  and  escape  to  the  shore  they 
would  not  be  without  some  means  of  subsistence. 

"  What  shall  we  do  to-night  ? "  asked  Tom  as  the 
long  day  drew  to  a  close,  the  "  point "  and  several 
other  places  wliere  they  feared  that  an  attack  might 
be  made  having  been  safely  passed.  "  Shall  we  both 
stay  on  guard  ?  " 

His  brother  hesitated  a  moment  as  he  replied,  "  We 
ought  to  reach  Fort  Mims  some  time  to-morrow,  or,  at 
least,  we'll  hope  to  get  there ;  and  to-night  is  going 
to  be  the  hardest  part  of  our  trip.  I  don't  know  but 
we'd  better  both  of  us  keep  awake  all  the  time." 

"  I  think  so,  too,"  said  his  brother,  "  for  a  part  of 
the  night,  at  least ;  but  still  if  we  can  get  a  little  rest 
I  think  we'd  better  take  it,  because  there's  no  know- 


:4 


AN  UNEXPECTED  ARRIVAL 


aft 


eyes  on  the 
dreii  are  in 

sr  busy,  and 

his  way  for 
y  now,  and 
it  Avith  them, 
dvantage  of 
r  from  their 
ow  they  f re- 
ared some  of 
necessary  for 
le  shore  they 
ubsistence. 
Tom  as  the 
'  and  several 
attack  might 
liall  we  both 

replied,  "  We 
aorrow,  or,  at 
ght  is  going 
n't  know  but 
e  time." 
for  a  part  of 
t  a  little  rest 
b's  no  know- 


ing what  we  may  have  to  do  before  we  ever  arrive  at 
our  destination,  if  indeed  we  ever  are  fortunate 
enough  to  get  anywhere  beyond  the  sight  of  these 
redskins.  Who  would've  thought  that  Captain  Jim 
would've  dropped  his  friends,  and  been  found  among 
Tecumseh's  young  braves  ?  " 

"  I  should  have  thought  so,  for  one,"  said  Jerry, 
"for  he's  doing  just  exactly  what  you  and  I  would 
have  done  if  we  had  been  in  his  place,  lie  thinks 
that  the  white  men  have  been  trying  to  take  his  land 
away  from  him,  and  while  we've  not  done  that  our- 
selves, I'm  not  sure,  as  a  whole,  there  isn't  too  much 
truth  in  what  he  says." 

As  the  dusk  came  on,  they  guided  the  raft  farther 
out  into  the  stream.  Their  progress  necessarily  would 
be  much  slower  now,  and  all  they  hoped  for  was  to 
come  through  the  hours  of  darkness  without  attract- 
ing the  attention  of  any  of  the  prowling  or  passing 
Indians. 

They  had  not  a  full  sense  of  what  the  war  with  the 
Creeks  was,  or  was  to  be,  but  they  knew  that  in  all 
probabihty  they  had  lost  their  home,  and  very  likely 
were  escaping  for  their  lives.  At  any  rate,  they  had 
taken  the  warning  of  their  Indian  friend,  and  had 
been  duly  impressed  by  his  evident  sincerity  in  bring* 
ing  the  message  he  had  given  them. 

It  was  true  that  the  Indians  were  divided  somewhat 
in  their  feelings  about  the  war,  but  many  of  them  had 


-^JiKiiijaPiBiM^tii  jWjWiiJi'ii''iW^iiWfaliu>ii(  ("n'lftS  Wniiiii 


86 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


been  thoroughly  aroused,  and  were  eager  to  join  iii 
the  attempt  which  had  been  begun  by  Tecumseh  to 
drive  the  white  men  into  the  salt  sea,  or  across  its 
waters  to  the  place  whence  they  had  come. 

Tecumseh's  visit  in  the  end  proved  to  be  a  sad  one, 
and  the  passions  he  aroused  and  the  zeal  for  war  which 
he  inspired  brought  consequences  no  one  could  have 
foreseen,  and  dangers  and  sorrows  of  which  even  the 
great  Prophet  himself  could  not  have  dreamed. 

For  a  long  time  our  two  boys  remained  at  the  helm, 
if  such  the  long  oar  which  they  had  succeeded  in  rig- 
ging at  the  stern  of  the  raft  could  be  called,  convers- 
ing only  in  whispers,  and  watching  the  dim  outlines 
of  both  shores  as  they  passed. 

Every  bush  might  conceal  a  foe,  and  behind  every 
tree  there  might  be  some  lurking  enemy  who  would 
not  hesitate  to  grasp  the  opportunity  of  ridding  his 
land  of  one  more  of  the  hated  pale-fjvces.  The  dusk 
deepened,  and,  at  last,  the  darkness  came  and  spread 
ovnr  all  things. 

"  There's  no  need  of  your  staying  here  any  longer. 
Go  in  and  lie  down  awhile,  and  I'll  manage  this 
rudder,  or  long  oar,  or  whatever  you  call  it.  I'll  call 
you  in  a  few  hours  and  let  you  have  your  spell  then," 
said  Toia. 

"  All  right,"  replied  his  brother,  as  he  disappeared 
within  the  rude  shanty. 

No  fire  had  been  made  on  the  raft  at  night  by  which 


-•i* 


fer  to  join  iii 
Tecumseh  to 
,  or  across  its 
come. 

)  be  a  sad  one, 
for  war  which 
le  could  have 
hich  even  the 
reamed, 
d  at  the  Iiehn, 
ceeded  in  rig- 
illed,  convers- 
dim  outlines 

behind  every 
ly  who  would 
if  ridding  liis 
i.  The  dusk 
e  and  spread 

e  any  longer. 

manage  this 

lit.    I'll  call 

ir  spell  then," 

}  disappeared 

Lght  by  which 


AN  UNEXPECTED  ARBIVAL 


87 


to  cook  their  supper,  iis  the  warning  the  young  brave 
had  given  them  they  knew  must  be  heeded,  and  even 
the  smoke  from  so  small  a  fire  as  they  would  kindle 
would  l)e  likely  to  attract  the  attention  of  any  prowl- 
ing Indian,  and  might  bring  on  an  attack  which  they 
would  not  be  able  to  meet. 

Nance,  meanwhile,  had  heeded  the  request  of  her 
brother,  and  had  sought  the  shelter  of  the  shanty 
early  in  the  evening,  and  left  the  boys  alone  to  look 
after  the  raft. 

When  Tom  disappeared,  Jerry's  feeling  of  loneliness 
increased.  The  stillness  became  almost  oppressive,  and 
the  voyage  of  the  raft  seemed  to  be  almost  uncanny, 
iis  it  moved  steadily  on  in  the  darkness.  Jerry 
could  see  only  for  a  short  distance  before  him,  and 
he  wtjs  compelled  to  trust  to  his  geneml  knowledge 
of  the  river  in  a  large  measure  for  his  directions. 
Captahi  Jim  and  his  companion  had  been  the  only 
Indians  they  liad  seen,  but  their  signal  of  wartiing 
was  not  to  be  received  lightly.  Several  hours  had 
piissed  since  their  appearance,  and  the  night  had 
brought  its  own  shelter. 

In  spite  of  the  darkness,  however,  he  could  not  rid 
himself  of  the  feeling  that  eyes  were  watching  him, 
and  that  every  movement  he  made  was  observed  by 
men  whom  he  could  not  see.  He  tried  to  shake  off 
his  fears  and  to  assure  himself  that  there  was  no 
immediate  cause   for  al;irm,  and   yet,   somehow,   in 


ii 

ii 


38 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BBAVE8  , 


spite  of  his  efforts,  the  sense  of  some  approaching 
danger  Iwcanie  keener  every  moment.  Several  times 
he  was  tempted  to  go  to  the  shanty  and  call  his 
brother,  but  each  time  he  had  gone  back  to  his  rudder 
agahi,  trying  to  convince  himself  that  his  fears  were 
groundless,  and  that  it  was  better  for  him  to  let  Tom 
sleep,  if  he  could,  for  a  time,  as  he  knew  all  the 
strength  he  could  gain  would  be  needed  before 
they  arrived  at  the  end  of  their  voyage. 

An  hour  or  more  passed  in  this  manner,  and  then 
the  young  watcher  was  startled  as  he  saw  some  one 
come  from  the  shanty  and  approach  him.  At  first  he 
could  not  determine  whether  it  was  his  sister  or 
brother,  but  in  a  moment  he  recognized  Tom's  voice, 
when  in  a  low  tone  he  said,  "  I  couldn't  si  .tp,  Jerry. 
Somehow  I  felt  that  we  were  in  greater  danger  than 
we've  ever  been.  I  know  it's  probably  foolish,  but 
I  thought  rd  come  out  and  take  my  stand  along  with 
you,  for,  to  be  honest,  I  felt  just  a  little  bit  afraid." 

"I  know  how  you  felt,"  said  Jeny,  "and  we'll 
both  of  us  keep  awake,  for  a  while,  anyway.  I've 
been  feeling  a  good  deal  as  I  do  sometimes  when  I 
have  had  a  nightmare,  and  I  was  trying  to  get  away 
from  something  and  couldn't  move  hand  or  foot." 

Tom  took  his  place  beside  his  brother,  and,  seated 
upon  the  raft,  they  began  to  talk  in  low  whispers,  all 
the  time  keeping  such  watch  as  they  could  on  either 
side  in  the  darkness. 


:s 

)  approaching 
Several  times 
and  call  his 
:  to  his  rudder 
liis  fears  were 
m  to  let  Tom 
knew  all  the 
leeded  hefore 
ige. 

mer,  and  then 
saw  some  one 
1.     At  first  he 
1  his  sister  or 
1  Tom's  voice, 
t  si  .fcp,  Jerry, 
r  danger  than 
ily  foolish,  but 
and  along  with 
B  bit  afraid." 
•y,  "and  we'll 
anyway.    I've 
tietimes  when  I 
ig  to  get  away 
id  or  foot." 
ler,  and,  seated 
»w  whispers,  all 
jould  on  either 


AN  UNEXPECTED   ARKIVAL 


39 


Somehow  the  long  night  passed,  and  just  as  the 
firat  light  of  the  dawn  appeared,  Tom  hiid  liis  hand 
upon  his  brother's  shoulder  and  said,  "Jerry,  look 
over  there  to  the  left.  There's  a  canoe  coming  out 
from  the  shore.  Can  you  make  out  what  it  is  or  how 
many  there  are  in  it?" 

"  It's  too  dark.  I  can't  tell  yet,"  replied  his  brother, 
looking  in  the  direction  in  which  Tom  had  pointinl, 
and  l)oth  boys  became  silent  as  they  watched  the  fmil 
little  craft  make  its  way  over  the  river.  It  came  on 
ahnost  as  still  as  the  shadows,  but  they  soon  were 
enabled  to  see  that  it  liad  only  one  occupant,  and  yet 
they  were  not  very  much  reassured  when  they  saw 
that  his  evident  purpose  was  to  make  for  the  raft. 

The  boys  crouched  low  and  kept  out  of  sight  be- 
hind the  shanty  as  they  watched  the  approach  of  this 
new-comer.  The  sail  flapped  against  its  rude  mast, 
and  as  the  light  from  the  rising  sun  soon  became 
stronger  their  courage  returned. 

"  Get  your  gun,  Tom,"  said  Jerry.  "  "We'll  be  all 
ready  for  him  if  he  wants  to  make  trouble." 

"  There's  only  one  man  in  the  canoe,"  said  Tom. 
"We  can  handle  him  without  much  work.  Let's 
wait  a  bit,  though,  before  we  do  anything.  It  may  be 
some  one  who  wants  to  see  us,  and  we  don't  want  to 
stir  up  any  trouble  if  we  can  help  it." 

Meanwhile  the  canoe  came  nearer  and  nearer,  and 
the  man  who  was  paddling  with  so  much  strength  and 


wWiiiiiwiiii'iiiftii  laiiiWii* 


J 


B'lijW'WiiiiiU  .J.  si»' 


0  TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 

dexterity,  without  any  doubt  now,  was  making  for  the 

raft. 

"  He's  coming  for  us,"  whispered  Jerry,  "  there's  no 
mistake  about  that.  Be  all  ready  for  him,  only  don't 
shoot  until  we  find  out  who  he  is,  or  what  he  wants." 

The  canoe  was  now  within  a  few  yards  of  them, 
and  the  occupant  soon  ran  it  in  close  by  the  raft. 
Without  a  word  the  solitary  visitor  stepped  out, 
drawing  the  canoe  after  him.  As  he  turned  towards 
the  shanty,  Iwth  boys,  grsusping  their  guns,  advanced 
to  meet  him  and  to  demand  the  purpose  of  his  coming. 


II 


ES 

making  for  the 

ly,  "  there's  no 
liini,  only  don't 
hat  he  v/ants." 
yards  of  them, 
le  by  the  raft, 
r  stepped  out, 
turned  towards 
wuns,  advanced 
e  of  his  coming. 


A  CHANGE  IN  TUB  PLAN 


41 


CHAPTER  IV 


A  CHANGE  IN  THE  PLAN 


AS  the  boys  approached  the  stranger,  they  held 
their  guns  in  readiness,  prepared  to  meet  any 
show  of  violence  that  might  be  made ;  but  their  feare 
were  at  once  relieved  when  the  visitor  called  out  to 
them,  "  Go  slow,  boys,  don't  shoot  your  best  friend. 
Not  that  you  would  be  likely  to  hit  anything  much  if 
you  did  shoot,  but  it  is  just  as  well  not  to  use  your 
pop-guns  too  freely  in  times  like  these.  There's  no 
knowing  what  redskin  might  pop  up  out  of  the  water 
right  alongside  of  your —  your—  I  don't  know  what 
to  call  this  craft.     What  is  it,  anyway?" 

"  It's  Josiah !  Hunter  Josiah !  "  said  Tom  joyfully, 
as  he  recognized  the  voice  of  the  new-comer,  and 
their  fears  of  an  immediate  attack  were  relieved. 

"  Yes,  that's  just  who  it  is,"  said  the  man  whom 
they  had  addressed  as  Josiah.  "  Now,  don't  waste 
any  of  your  time  tfilking  about  him  or  talking  to  him. 
There's  too  much  business  on  hand  just  now,  and  I 
propose  to  have  a  share  in  it,  too." 

The  new-comer  had  for  a  long  time  been  a  friend 


^s«^^-,  ...-^^.i, 


m-m^ 


M 


TECUMSKirS   YOUNO   BKAVKS 


'if!  ^il 


»)f  the  father  of  (»ur  ixiys.  Ilo  wius  a  iimn  in  middle 
life,  of  a  strong  and  vigorous  physicpie,  and  evidently 
was  familiar  with  the  customs  of  pioneer  life,  and  the 
dangei-s  to  l)e  encountered  in  the  forests.  His  roving 
dispasition  had  i>reventod  him  from  settling  upon 
any  plantation  or  developing  any  clearing.  He  was, 
consequently,  more  of  a  shiftless,  happy  hunter  than 
anything  else,  who  wandered  about  from  place  to 
place,  making  his  home  for  a  time  with  some  friend, 
and  then  remaining  for  weeks  in  the  forest,  apart 
from  all  mankind. 

He  was  a  very  strong  friend  whenever  his  heart 
went  out  towards  any  man,  and  though  he  never 
could  l)e  pei-suaded  to  remain  long  in  one  place,  his 
friendship  waa  as  enduring  as  his  life  wiis  restless. 

He  followed  the  boys  as  they  returned  to  the  stern, 
and  seated  liimself  as  Tom  resumed  his  place  at  the 
rudder.  He  listened  to  the  story  they  had  to  tell 
him  of  the  causes  that  led  to  their  departure,  and  the 
experiences  they  had  thus  far  had  on  their  voyage. 
He  indicated  his  pleasure  or  dissent  by  an  occasional 
exclamation,  but  did  not  interrupt  them  until  their 
story  had  been  finished,  and  he  had  heard  all  they  had 
to  say. 

"The  trouble's  mostly  among  the  Creeks,  boys," 
said  the  hunter,  when  at  last  their  story  was  finished. 
"  The  Choctaws  are  not  very  much  stirred  up  as  yet, 
and  I   don't  think  we  shall  have  very  much  to  he 


lliii_ 


KS 


A   CHANGE   IN    THE   PLAN 


43 


iiiin  in  middle 
and  evidently 
!!•  life,  and  the 
I.  His  roving 
settling  upon 
ing.  He  was, 
'  hunter  than 
roni  place  to 
1  some  friend, 
forest,  apart 

(ver  his  heart 
igh  he  never 
one  place,  his 
iis  restless. 
i  to  the  stern, 
I  place  at  the 
sy  had  to  tell 
rture,  and  the 
their  voyage, 
an  occasional 
m  until  their 
d  all  they  had 

.reeks,  boys," 
■  was  finished, 
red  up  as  yet, 
f  much  to  be 


afraid  of  from  the  ("herokees.  There's  no  l«»ve 
lost  l>etwixt  tiuMu,  and  all  this  is  in  our  favor.  I  don't 
iHjlieve  we'd  have  had  much  trouble,  anyway,  if  it 
hadn't  Iteen  for  that  pesky  Tecuniseh  and  his  buffalo- 
tailed  brotiier.  Were  you  boys  at  the  council  when 
they  danced  around  there  in  the  H<iuare,  dragging 
those  long  buffalo-tails  behind  them?" 

"  Yes,"  replied  Tom,  "  we  were  there,  and  I  don't 
think  I  ever  heard  such  a  speech  in  my  life  lus 
Tecumseh  and  his  brother  made." 

"Stuff  and  nonsense!  'Twiis  all  stuff  and  non- 
sense," rei)lied  the  hunter  somewhat  angrily.  "  Noth- 
ing but  a  cat's-paw  of  the  British.  He  himself  was 
made  a  fool  of  by  them,  and  so  he  thought  he  would 
come  down  here,  more  than  a  thousand  miles  away 
from  his  own  happy  hunting-grounds,  and  make  fools 
of  the  rest  of  the  redskins.  Not  but  what  the  most 
of  them  were  fools  enough  already.  But  where  are 
you  going?" 

"We  are  going  to  tiy  to  make  our  way  to  Fort 
Minis.  That's  where  Captain  Jim  told  us  the  whites 
were  gathering,"  replied  Jerry. 

"That's  the  best  place  there  is,  no  doubt  about 
that,"  replied  the  hunter;  "but  you  can't  go  clear 
down.  I  saw  Captaiii  Jim  myself,  and  the  little 
whiffet,  all  painted  and  daubed  up,  was  feeling  as 
smart  as  a  rattler  with  a  new  skin.  At  firat  he 
wanted  to  take  my  scalp,  but  I  would  not  listen  to 


'*yf 


"T^^^ff'**' 


44 


TICCUMSEH'S   YOUNG   BRAVES 


fMi 


any  hucIi  iiouhoiihc  iw  tliiit,  and  ho  I  liiul  a  littlo  con- 
voi-sation  with  him  myself,  lie  was  protty  decent 
then,  for  I  reckon  he  haa  not  forgotten  all  alwut  old 
timcH  yet,  and  I  picked  it  out  of  him  that  some  of  the 
liesky  redskina  \ver«>  down  the  river  lying  in  wait  for 
juHt  Huch  parties  as  you,  who  are  on  their  way  to  Fort 
iMinis." 

"  What  are  wo  to  do,  then  ?  "  asked  Tom  anxiously. 
"  You  know  we  have  got  mother  and  the  children 
along  with  us,  to  say  nothing  of  Nance,  though  I  will 
risk  her  most  anywhere." 

"  You  ought  to  have  gone  a  long  time  ago,"  said 
the  hunter. 

"That's  all  true  enough,"  replied  Tom,  "hut  we 
didn't  know  what  wiu*  going  on  until  day  l>efore 
yesterday,  and  shouldn't  have  known  then  if  Quiluti- 
mac  hadn't  come  and  told  us." 

"What!  Have  you  not  heard  anything  alnmt 
Jackson's  treatment  by  the  government?" 

"  No,  not  a  word,"  replied  'J'om. 

"Well,  this  is  no  time  to  tell  you  of  it,  hut  it's 
alx)ut  the  rankest  piece  of  work  I  ever  heard  tell  of. 
Some  of  the  other  leadera  were  not  treated  very  well 
either,  for  all  they  have  done  their  l)est  to  protect  the 
country,  though  perhaps  some  of  them  have  made  it 
up  of  a  coloring  to  suit  themselves.  Some  time  I'll 
t«ll  you  about,  it,  but  there's  too  much  business  on 
hand  now,  and  that's  not  the  leiwt  of  the  causes  that 


11;;  E, 


iii 


11  littld  coti- 
notty  decent 

nil  illKMit   old 

t  some  (if  tlie 
\f  in  wiiit  for 
r  way  to  b\)rt 

)ni  unxioiiHly. 

the  eliildreii 

thoujrh  I  will 

ne  ii|,'o,"  said 

Mn,  "but  we 
I  day  Ixjfore 
ju  if  Quiluti- 

y thing   alnmt 

'"     J 

i  it,  but  it's 
leard  tell  of. 
ted  very  well 

0  protect  the 
lave  made  it 
inie  time  I'll 

1  business  on 
Q  causes  that 


A   CHANOK   IN   TIIK    I'LAM 


45 


led  to  this  I«id  business,  anyway.  I've  seen  too  many 
sij,'ns  of  Indians  around  hero  for  mo  to  stop  and 
waste  any  more  tinm  talking  to  you." 

"  Well,  what  do  you  think  is.  the  liest  thing  to  bo 
done,  Josiah?"  said  Jerry.  "Tom  and  I  don't  care 
80  nuich  alx)ut  oui'sclves,  for  we're  used  to  Indians' 
ways, and  not  niii<  Ii  afraid  of  them  anyhow;  but  we've 
got  mother  and  the  children  along  witli  us,  and  what 
in  the  world  we're  going  to  do  with  them  I  can't 
tell." 

"I  know,"  replied  tlie  hunter.  "Don't  Ih)  afraid, 
Tommy  ;  I  was  not  your  father's  friend  for  nothing, 
and  I  am  not  going  to  leave  his  youngsteis  in  the 
lurch,  though  ho  himself  pulled  out  and  left  them. 
The  Indians  are  pretty  thick  around  here,  and  you 
may  need  more  than  your  father's  friend  to  help  you 
before  you've  got  this  party  safely  through." 

"  I  presume  some  of  them  have  been  watching  us 
all  the  while,  ever  since  we  started,"  said  Jeriy. 

"I  reckon  you  didn't  escape  the  notice  of  them 
altogether.  An  Injun  is  not  blind,  and  some  of  them 
can  smell  farther  than  they  can  see.  I  think  we'll 
find  some  way  to  get  your  party  over  to  Fort  Minis, 
though,"  replied  Josiah. 

"  Do  you  know  how  things  are  there?"  aaked  Tom 
anxiously. 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  hunter,  "  I  was  there  a  few  days 
ago.     Fort  Mims  is  pretty  full.    What  with  the  women 


4 


._^t-»* 


"f 


>\t 


4(5 


TKCITMSKII'S   YOIINO    HUAVKS 


111 
1  i    • 


1111(1  tliK  I'liiltlrcit  iiiid  tlie  diirkicH  that  liiivt!  crnwdcd  in 
there  (for  the  diirkics  iirc  HciiriMl  tho  woivt  of  all), 
it  is  j»rotty  well  tilled  up,  hut  I  reekou  we'll  find  a 
plaeo  for  you.  At  any  rate,  if  we  ean't  lind  any,  we'll 
make  one,  for  that  is  what  a  good  share  of  the  settlei-s 
have  had  to  do  who  have  g(»ne  in  there,  —  just  build 
their  own  lodgings  inside  the  stoekade." 

liut  the  eonveraatiou  waw  interrupted  by  the  sound 
of  a  gun  fired  on  their  right,  and  the  whistle  and  thud 
of  a  bullet  as  it  [liwscdover  their  heads  and  buried  it- 
self in  one  of  the  postM  of  the  shanty. 

"  Well,  now,  that's  pretty  cool,"  said  the  hunter ; 
"  and  that  were  a  white  man,  too,  though  I'd  1x3  ashamed 
to  make  a  shot  like  that.  I  reckon  you  had  Ixitter  go 
inside,  lH>ys,  atid  let  me  steer  this  cnift  awhile." 

"No,"  said  Jerry,  "we've  provided  for  this  very 
thing."  And  he  brought  from  the  shanty  a  stand  com- 
posed of  four  or  live  thick  plunks,  and  three  or  four 
feet  long,  which  they  had  made  for  this  very  purpose. 
Placing  one  of  these  on  either  side  of  them,  they  could 
see  plainly  in  front,  and  felt  safe  from  any  attack  on 
either  side. 

"  You  see  I  am  right,"  said  the  hunter,  a  moment 
later,  as  he  called  their  attention  to  a  man  standing  on 
the  shore  and  waving  his  hand.  "  He  is  a  Spaniard, 
too.  I  thought  something  would  account  for  the  poor 
shot.  A  Britisher  would  not  have  done  that.  We'll 
go  a  piece  farther  away  down  the  river,  and  stop  our 


Ml» 


MMM 


^KS 


A   CHANOK    IN    TIIK    I'l.AN 


47 


iuv«i  ( ro\v'(h'(l  in 

worst  of   all), 

oil  we'll  find  ii 

t  iiiid  any,  we'll 

1!  of  Ul(!  HOttltil'S 

re,  —  jiiHt  build 

lie." 

id  by  the  sound 

liistlc  and  thud 

H  and  buried  it- 

lid  the  hunter; 
il'd  l)c  ashamed 
u  had  better  go 
t  awhile." 
lI  for  this  very 
ity  a  stand  coni- 
l  three  or  four 
8  very  purpose, 
hem,  they  could 
1  any  attack  on 

nter,  a  moment 
lan  standing  on 
i  is  a  Spaniard, 
int  for  the  poor 
ne  that.  We'll 
ir,  and  stop  oui 


talking  for  awhihi,  and  tln'ii  we'll  see  what  we  can  do. 
lh''H  on  the  wrong  suU*  of  the  river,  though,  and  all  he 
can  do  is  to  drive  us  to  the  shelter  of  this  ban'K." 

The  sun  hud  not  yet  ris(wi  al)ovo  the  toi)s  of  the 
trees,  and  although  it  wuk  light  enough  for  them  to 
diseern  tlie  (»bj(!ets  upon  the  shore,  they  did  not  sum- 
mon the  (ttlier  membei-s  of  the  family  from  the  shanty  ; 
anil,  indeed,  if  any  of  them  had  appeared,  they  would 
atoneohave  told  them  to  return,  iw  the  shot  which  had 
l)een  lired  had  warned  them  of  danger  near. 

"  I  think  we'll  have  to  stop  pretty  soon,"  said  the 
hunter,  "  and  land,  and  strike  out  across  the  country. 
1  didn't  see  very  many  signs  of  Injuns  over  that  way, 
and  Fort  Minis  can't  be  more  than  live  miles  away." 

"  I  don't  know  whether  the  children  can  make  five 
miles  or  not,"  said  Jerry  dubiously. 

"  They  have  got  to.  That's  all  there  is  to  be  done. 
We  can  carry  them  on  our  backs,  can't  we  ?  "  said  the 
hunter. 

"Yes,  we  can  do  that,"  replied  Jerry;  "but  that 
won't  leave  us  free  to  use  our  guns  if  we  have  to." 

"I  tell  you  we  won't  have  to,"  said  the  hunter. 
•'  Either  they  are  lying  very  low,  or  else  the  Injuns  have 
cleared  out  for  a  while  from  that  region,  and  gone 
farther  down  the  river.  Do  you  know,  I  have  a  kind 
of  dim  suspicion  that  while  they  are  going  to  pick  oft 
such  parties  as  they  can  without  too  much  trouble, 
they  have  no  particular  objection  to  letting  Fort  Mims 


48 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BUAVE8 


fill  up.  I  suspect  they  think  that's  pie  for  their,  and 
that  they  will  fall  on  the  fort  some  dark  night,  and 
take  the  scalps  of  every  one  inside.  Kind  of  a  man- 
trap, you  see." 

His  words  were  not  entirely  reassuring,  and  yet 
his  experience  had  been  so  much  greater  than  that  of 
the  boys,  and  as  they  knew  how  shrewd  and  keen  his 
judgment  was,  they  decided  to  follow  his  advice. 

"  Wliat  are  we  going  to  do  with  this  stuff  we  have 
brought  with  us  ?  "  asked  Jerry. 

"  Leave  it  on  board,"  said  the  hunter  gruffly,  "and 
turn  the  live-stock  loose  in  the  woods." 

"  But  we  brought  the  pig  and  the  chickens  along 
because  we  thought  we'd  be  likely  to  stay  some  time 
inside  the  stockade  of  Fort  Mims,  and  we  would 
have  to  have  something  to  eat  there." 

"  That  will  be  your  greatest  trouble  at  Fort  Mims, 
but  you  will  have  to  turn  the  pig  and  chickens  loose 
here,  though.  A  man's  life  is  worth  more  than  a 
pig's,  and  a  dozen  hens'  into  the  bargain.  I  suppose 
you  brought  your  guns,"  he  added,  "as  a  kind  of  a 
protection.  Oh,  well,  they  are  better  than  nothing. 
They  are  not  of  much  account  alongside  of  mine, 
though." 

The  boys  flushed  a  little  as  he  spoke  of  their  guns, 
for  they  were  accustomed  to  pride  themselves  some- 
what on  their  prowess  as  huntei-s,  and  yet  they  knew 
that  their  companion  was  not  inclined  to  belittle  their 


A  CHANGE   IN  THE   PLAN 


41) 


or  their,  and 
■k  night,  and 
lid  of  a  man- 

■ing,  and  yet 
•  than  that  of 
and  keen  his 
s  advice.         ' ' 
stuff  we  have 

gruffly,  "and 

liickens  along 
tay  some  time 
lid  we  would 

it  Fort  Mims, 
ihickens  loose 
more  than  a 
in.  I  suppose 
s  a  kind  of  a 
than  nothing, 
side  of  mine, 

of  their  guns, 
mselves  some- 
yet  they  knew 
0  belittle  their 


ability,  save  as  he  compared  it  with  his  own,  which 
was  well  known  to  be  far  superior  to  that  of  any  one 
in  the  entire  region. 

» We'll  land  here,"  said  the  hunter,  as  they  came 
near  a  little  cove.  "  You  had  better  get  your  family 
together,  and  be  ready  to  start  right  off." 

"Oh,  why  didn't  we  stay  at  home!"  said  Mrs. 
Curry  complainingly,  whou  Tom  entered  the  shanty. 
"I  know  that  would  have  been  a  good  deal  better 
than  this  tramping  off  through  the  country." 

"But  you  know  what  Tecumseh's  young  bmve 
said,  don't  you?  And  beside.  Hunter  Josiah  is  here 
now,  and  he's  even  stronger  in  his  words  than  the 
Indians  were.  He  says  he  knows  there's  danger  and 
lots  of  it,  and  it  is  not  going  to  l>e  safe  for  us  to  go 
farther  down  the  river." 

"I  suppose  I  shall  have  to  go,  then,"  replied  his 
mother;  "I  always  do.  That's  been  my  fortune  in 
life  always  to  follow  up  somebody  that  was  starting 
from  a  good  place  to  go  out  into  nowhere." 

Her  complaints  were  redoubled  when  she  saw  the 
pig  and  the  chickens  turned  loose  in  the  woods,  but 
the  former  was  not  inclined  to  be  left  behind,  and, 
with  a  grunt,  he  started  after  the  party  when  they 
prepared  to  enter  the  forest. 

"Let  him  come.  Let  him  come,"  said  Hunter 
Josiah,  with  his  quiet  laugh;  " he  had  better  come  to 
a  good  end  than  a  bad  one,  and  pork  may  be  in 


50 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


Are  vou 


demand  at  Fort  Mims  before  winter  yet. 

all  ready?"  ''  '" 

"  All  ready,"  replied  the  boys. 

"Then  we'll  start  off  on  our  trail.     I  don't  know 
what  there  is  l)efore  us,  and  we'll  be  lucky  if  we  get 
to  the  fort  without  meeting  any  redskins,  but  I  want 
ye  all  to  keep  as  still  as  you  can  while  we're  on  the 
march,  and  we'll  make  the  best  time  we  can.    Come 
on  now,"  he  added,  as  he  picked  up  one  of  the 
children  and  placed  him  on  his   back,  an   example 
which  Tom  quickly  followed,  and  the  entire  party, 
with  many  forebodings,  started  into  the  dense  forest 
to  try  and  make   their  way  to  the  shelter  of  Fort 
Mims.    None  of  the  party,  except  the  hunter,  had 
ever  been  in  the  place  they  were  seeking,  and  they 
knew  of  its  strength  only  by  common   report.     As 
they  were,  however,  compelled  to  seek  the  sheltt 
of  some  stockade,  they  had  chosen  Fort  Mims  as  the 
most  accessible,  but  they  never  had  planned  to  go  to 
it  by  the  route  which  the  hunter  was  indicating. 


J 


Are  vou 


don't  know 
ky  if  we  get 
,  but  I  want 
ire're  on  the 
can.  Come 
one  of  the 
an  example 
entire  party, 
dense  forest 
Iter  of  Fort 
hunter,  had 
ig,  and  they 
report.  As 
the  sheltt 
Mims  as  the 
ned  to  go  to 
icating. 


J 


n 


i 


11 


I': 


I! 


■•  Tln'  Imiilcr  "M>  l.'ii'linu  tlif  »  :i.v  ■" 


n 


J. 


TO  THE  FORT 


51 


•     CHAPTER  V 


TO  THE  FOET 


TT  was  a  strange  appearance  our  little  party  of 
i  fugitives  presented  as  they  started  into  the  forest. 
The  hunter,  with  his  gun  grasped  in  one  hand  and 
one  of  the  children  clinging  to  his  back,  was  ead- 
ing  the  way.  Behind  him  followed  Jerry  similarly 
equipped.  The  mother  and  Nance  came  behmd  him, 
while  Tom  was  serving  as  the  rear  guard  and  was 
watchful  of  all  sides. 

The  pig,  which  had  followed  them  when  they  had 
first  started,  for  some  unaccountable  reason  began  to 
emit  some  ear-piercing  squeals,  and  there  was  nothing 
for  Tom  to  do  but  to  stop  and  drive  him  back. 

Whether  these  had  been  given  aa  a  challenge,  or 
because  he  was  aa  suspicious  of  the  perils  surroun^ 
ing  them  as  were  his  human  companions,  could  not  be 
known ;  but  after  gazing  for  a  moment  in  stupid  sur- 
prise  at  Tom,  who  struck  him  several  blows  with  the 
butt  of  his  gun,  he  disappeared  and  left  the  party  free 
from  the  danger  which  his  squealings  might  bring 
upon  them. 


52 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG   BRAVES 


"  We  can't  go  as  slow  as  this,"  said  Hunter  Josiah, 
Stopping  for  a  moment  to  talk  witli  Jerry,  who  was 
close  l)ehind.  "  I  don't  know  what  we  shall  meet  and 
what  dangers  we  may  have  to  face,  but  I  do  know  one 
thing,  and  that  is,  that  the  sooner  we  bring  our  party 
to  Fort  Minis  the  better  it  will  be  for  all  concerned." 

"  I  am  going  to  carry  that  boy  on  my  back,"  said 
Nance,  coming  up  just  in  time  to  hear  the  last  words 
of  the  hunter.  "  That  will  leave  you  free  to  keep  a 
sharper  lookout,  and  warn  us  if  you  find  any  danger 

in  front." 

This  proposal  was  quickly  adopted,  and  the  little 
party  stiirted  on  once  more.    Frequent  stops  for  rest 
were  made,  and  the  hunter  and  one  of  the  boys,  leav- 
ing the  party,  occasionally  would  start  off  on  different 
paths  for  a  short  distance  to  see  if  any  signs  of  danger 
were  to  be  found.    Even  the  mother  had  no  time  for 
complaining  now  in  the  midst  of  such  trials  and 
dangers,  and  yet  both  boys  noticed  as  they  went  on 
that  her  face  was  becoming  more  and  more  flushed, 
and  that  it  would  be  soon  a  question  whether  she 
would  be   able   to  keep  up  with  the  othera  in  the 
rapid  march  which  they  were  making. 

"  I  think  we  have  gone  about  half  way,  now,"  said 
Josiah,  as  the  party  stopped  on  one  of  its  frequent 

halts. 

"Do  you  think  half  our  danger  is  over,  then?" 

asked  Nance. 


iter  Josiah, 
•y,  who  wiis 
ill  meet  and 
io  know  one 
g  our  party 
joncerned." 
back,"  said 
e  last  words 
je  to  keep  a 
I  any  danger 

id  the  little 
tops  for  rest 
le  boys,  leav- 
'  on  different 
;ns  of  danger 
no  time  for 
li  trials  and 
they  went  on 
nore  flushed, 
whether  she 
jthers  in  the 

y,  now,"  said 
its  frequent 

over,  then?" 


TO  THE  FORT 


58 


"I  am  inclined  to  think  so,"  replied  the  hunter, 
''  for  I  very  much  doubt  whether  the  redskins  would 
want  to  run  the  chance  of  making  an  attack  on  a  party, 
even  tia  defenceless  as  we  are,  when  it  was  within 
hearing  of  the  fort.  Still,  you  never  know  what  a  red- 
skin will  do,  and  I  don't  think  we  shall  be  safe  until 
we  are  inside  the  stockade." 

"  Are  the  Indians  pretty  thick  around  here  ?  "  asked 

Jerry. 

The  hunter  smiled  significantly  as  he  replied, 
"  Well,  there  are  several  of  them,  I  make  no  doubt 
of  that." 

"What  kind  of  a  place  is  it  we've  started  for?" 

asked  Tom. 

"Oh,  I  can't  describe  it  to  you,  now,"  said  the 
hunter.  "  You  will  see  when  once  we  get  there ;  that 
is,  if  we're  ever  lucky  enough  to  make  it.  But  come 
on,  now,  we  must  start  on  again.  Every  minute  of 
time,  and  every  step  of  the  way,  count  for  a  good 
deal  more  now  than  they  are  likely  to  again  in  a  good 
while." 

The  party  resumed  their  march,  but  moved  in 
silence  now.  All  of  them  were  beginning  to  feel  the 
fatigue  of  the  journey,  and  a.s  they  came  nearer  to  the 
fort  they  began  to  increase  the  vigilance  which  they 
had  used  all  the  way. 

They  had  gone  on  for  a  half-hour  more  in  this 
way  when  the  hunter  suddenly  stopped,  and,  raising 


1 


54        TECUMSKH'S  YOUNO  DUAVB8 

his  hand  in  warning,  l)egan  to  liHten  intently.  The 
entire  party  were  startled,  m  they  all  knew  the  Imn- 
ter  had  heard  or  seen  something  of  more  than 
ordinary  in.portunce.  One  of  the  children,  already 
over-tired,  here  began  to  cry,  and  Ihuiter  Josmh,  , 
kind-hearte<l  and  gentle  a«  ho  wa«,  turned  qnickly 
and  placed  his  hand  over  the   little   mouth  some- 

what  roughly. 

The  mother  began  to  cry,  and  said,  "You  never 
were  ho  rough  to  any  of  my  children  l,efore,  Jos.ah, 
and  I  don't  see  why  you  should  treat  any  of  them  m 

that  way  now." 

Hut  a  sharp  word  from  the  hunter  brought  silence 
again, .« they  all  wore  convinced  that  he  was  alarmed 
at  some  danger  he  suspected  to  be  near  them. 

"Someone's  coming,"  he  whispered  to  the  boys, 
"  and  he's  coming  right  towards  us,  too." 

At  his  words  the  suspense  became  more  and  more 
intense.  But  soon  the  others  heard  the  sound  winch 
had  caught  the  attention  of  the  shari>^ared  hunter, 
and  it  wa«  evident  that  he  had  not  been  deceived. 
Breathless  with  fear,  they  waited  for  several  mo-  • 
ment«,  and  soon  the  form  of  some  one  was  seen  dodg- 
ing  from  tree  to  tree  not  far  away. 

The  hunter  had  taken  his  gun,  and  motioned  to  the 
boys  to  do  the  same,  and  they  made  ready  tor  any 
atLk  that  might  be  made.  Tom  noticed  a.  he 
glanced  about  the  party,  that  the  faces  of  all  but  the 


Bi8.ai-„^»»i*» 


;ently.  The 
L'vv  the  Inin- 
moro  than 
Ircii,  iilready 
titer  Josiiih, 
rued  quickly 
mouth  sonie- 

"You  never 
)efore,  Josiah, 
ly  of  them  in 

rought  silence 
e  was  aUirmetl 
them. 
.  to  the  boys, 

[lore  and  more 
le  sound  which 
l)-eared  hunter, 
been  deceived, 
jr  several  mo-  * 
waa  seen  dodg- 

motioned  to  the 

I  ready  for  any 

noticed,   as  he 

8  of  all  but  the 


TO  THE   FORT 


»6 


(ihildren  were  very  pale,  and  even  tlio  litth)  ones  were 
silent  now,  catching  something  of  the  fear  which 
impt'uding  ill  often  gives,  long  Inifore  it  can  Iw  seen 

or  known. 

The  unknown  man  soon  stepped  out  into  a  little 
clearing.  They  waited  to  see  whether  he  was  alone  or 
not,  as  he  stopped  and  Inigan  to  whistle.  Soon  they 
were  more  than  relieved  when  they  saw  that  he  evi- 
dently was  alone,  and  as  they  perceived  his  dark  face 
and  short,  heavy  frame,  their  feare  at  once  disap- 
peared. An  exclamation  of  disgust  froni  the  hunter 
was  followed  by  his  call,  as  he  said,  "Here,  you 
black  nigger,  what  are  you  doing  out  here  in  the 
woods  all  alone?  Don't  you  know  there's  an  Injun 
a  hiding  Ijehind  every  tree  ready  to  scalp  you?  " 

The  startled  negro  rolled  his  eyes,  and  tried  to 
stanmier  forth  some  words  in  acknowledgment  of  the 
hunter's  salute.     "  Yes,  sah  ;  yes,  sah  ;  I's  all  alone." 

Tom  laughed  as  he  saw  how  much  more  the  black 
man  was  frightened  than  were  any  of  those  who  had 
been  so  startled  by  the  sound  of  his  approaching  foot- 

»  steps. 

"How  far  are  we  from  Fort  Mims?"   asked  the 
hunter,  as  the  negro  joined  the  party. 
"  'Bout  a  mile  an'  a  half,"  was  the  reply. 
"  I  suppose  you  belong  there,  don't  you,  Sambo  ?  " 
"Yes,  sah,  and  my  name's  not  Sambo,  sah,  but 
Caesar,  sah."  .-f^v 


56  TECUMSEirS  YOUNG   HIIAVES 

»'AU  right,  Cu'sar,"  replied  the  hunter,  HpeakiriR 
cheerfully,  now  that  the  inuue.liate  cause  of  hm-  had 
l«en  ren.»ve<l.    "  How  many  ^oplo  arc  there  ui  the 

"'.  ("Ca  whole  city  full,"  Wius  the  reply ;  "  men  and 
won.en,  and  hoys  and  girls,  and  little  ehiUU.n,Hah 
Son.e  of  them  not  so  big  >v«  dese,  sah.       And   he 
pointed  to  the  children,  who  were  ehngmg  to  then 

'"  Trm\vnd  Jerry  were  lK)th  curious,  and  would  have 
>«ked  many  questions  of  the  negro,  who  now  had 
.-ecovered  Ln  his  fear,  and  felt  sometlnng  of  Ins  own 
importance  aa  the  only  one  who  could  impart  ,nuch 
iufornuttion  concerning  Fort  Mims  and   the   people 

gathered  there.  ,     ,      ,       .c   „j 

.We  must  start  on  again,"  said  the  ^^^^^^'^  J^^ 
we'll  have  to  be  more  careful  now  than  ever.      Wlule 
I  don't  think  there'll  be  much  danger  of  an  atUick 
now,  since  the  fort  is  so  near,  at  the  same  time  it 
would  be  a  very  easy  thing  for  some  rascally  Creek 
to  throw  his  tomahawk  or  shoot  an  arrow  at  some  one 
of  us,   and   it   would   not  make   very   much  noise, 
either."    And  as  he  led  the  way  he  became  silent 
again,  and  his  anxiety  waa  shared  now  by  every  one 

in  the  party.  i.    u:„ 

Occasionally  the  hunter  turned  to  whisper  to  his 

companions  and  i.11  of  something  he  ^-^  --'  -;;™« 
sign  that  had  appeared  of  the  presence  of  ludden  foes. 


r,  speaking 
of  fiiiir  luvil 
horo  in  tho 

;  "  moil  and 
liildien,  m\\. 
r  And  he 
ing  to  their 

would  have 
lo  now  had 
ig  of  his  own 
impart  nuich 
i   the   people 

lunter,  "and 
!ver.  While 
of  an  attack 

same  time  it 
■ascally  Creek 
\ff  at  some  one 

much  noise, 
became  silent 
'  by  every  one 

ivhisper  to  his 
I  seen,  or  some 
of  liidden  foes. 


TO  TIIK  FORT 


if 


'rh..se  iKM-amo  m..n^  frocjucnt  lu.  they  came  nearer  tho 
fort,  an.l  when  they  halte<l  again  for  a  brief  rest  ui  a 
low  voice  Jerry  said,  -  I  don't  like  the  looks  of  things 
ut  all.  I've  seen  more  signs  of  Indians  withui  the  last 
hall-hour  than  I've  seen  in  three  weeks  Ixjfore." 

-Uoyou  suppose   any  of  them  have  been  follow- 
ing us  ?"  asked  Tom. 

-No  doubt,  no  doubt,"  replied  Josh,  "and  its 
more'n  likely  some  of  ni  are  watching  us  at  this 
very  minute.  Still,  I  hu.-lly  think  they'll  touch  us, 
but  fro.n  these  signs  I've  seen  it  won't  1.0  long 
before  the  Indians  will  !«  heaid  frc  n.,  and  I  hope 
Fort  Minis  \n^s  got  some  defences  ^  at  will  V.  Htron- 
enough  to  stand  against  the  moo  that  will  i  thrown 
against  it.  But  it  is  not  well  for  us  ..  .ake  any 
chances,  and  we'll  start  on  again  .  ,^  i  away. 

The  mother,  almost  worn  out  nov  was  Ixiguuaug 
to  complain  again,  and  to  declare  that  it  was  impossi- 
ble  for  her  to  advance  another  step,  but  a  sharp  word 
from  tho  leader  silenced  her  wonls,  and  although 
almost  too  weary  to  move,  she  arose  and  resumed  the 
march  with  the  others. 

On  and  on  they  went,  now  not  even  stopping  for  a 
rest  i^s  the  hunter  wiw  afraid  that  if  any  break  oc- 
curred, the  resumption  of  the  march  would  be  more 
difficult,  and  as  they  drew  nearer  the  fort  he  became 
more  and  more  anxi>ivH, 

So  on  and  on  tho  little  party  trudged,  stumbling 


58 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG   BRAVES 


over  roots  and  fulling  over  dead  branches,  their  iaces 
streaming  with  perspiration,  and  some  of  Ihem  aiv 
pearing  as  if  it  would  be  impossible  for  them  to  go 
any  farther.  ^^ 

"  It  is  the  longest  mile  and  a  half  I  ever  knew, 
said  Tom  as  he  advanced  to  the  side  of  the  leader. 

"  Never  mind,"  said  Josh,  "we're  almost  there  now, 
and  when  we're  once  inside,  we'll  forget  all  this  liard 
work,  and  how  tired  we  were.  Here,  you,  Ctesar,"  he 
said  to  the  negro,  who  also  had  advanced,  "you  didn't 
show  us  the  short  way  at  all.   I  don't  believe  ye  knew 

the  way." 

But  Cajsar  only  grinned  and  shook  his  head  without 
making  any  reply  to  the  hunter's  words. 

At  last  the  leader  stopped,  and  turning  to  the  others 
said,  "We've  reached  our  journey's  end  now,  for  I  can 
see  the  stockade  ahead  of  us." 

"Where?  Where?"  eagerly  called  out  the  boys, 
who  were  unable  to  see  anything  in  the  spot  which  the 
hunter  indicated;  but  in  a  few  moments  a  strange- 
looking  place  appeared  not  far  in  advance  of  them, 
and  the  hunter  triumphantly  said,  "  You  can  see  it 
now,  can't  you?    That's  Fort  Mims,  and  we've  cov- 
'  ered  the  distance  between  the  river  and  the  stockade 
in  a  good  deal  less  time  than  I  thought  we  could ;  and 
you  stood  the  journey  better  than  I  feared,"  he  added, 
turning  to  the  mother ;  but  she  made  no  reply  except 
to  shake  her  head  and  sigh. 


iiijtfiimJiMit***^"' 


,  their  iaces 

if  lliem  Hiv 

them  to  go 

sver  knew," 
tho  leader, 
it  there  now, 
all  this  hard 
I,  Ctesar,"  he 
"  you  didn't 
eve  ye  knew 

lead  without 

to  the  others 
ow,  for  I  can 

tut  the  boys, 
pot  which  the 
ts  a  strange- 
nce  of  them, 
3U  can  see  it 
nd  we've  cov- 
the  stockade 
ve  could ;  and 
3d,"  he  added, 
3  reply  except 


TO  THE  FORT 


59 


"This  is  a  funny  fort,"  said  Nance.  "I  don't  be- 
lieve it's  much  of  a  protection  against  Indians.  I  de- 
clare I  believe  I  would  rather  have  stayed  on  our  raft 
and  trusted  that  when  it  was  anchored  in  the  river, 
than  to  put  the  children  behind  such  a  flimsy,  good- 
for-nothing  protection  as  that  ahead  of  us." 

"There's  nothing  else  to  do  now,  though,"  said 
Tom,  "  and  we'll  have  to  make  the  best  of  it.  I  don't 
think  it's  very  promising-looking  myself,  but,  at  any 
rate,  we'll  not  be  alone  here,  and  there'll  be-  some  pro- 
tection in  numbers,  anyway." 

"The  gates  are  open,"  said  the  hunter,  "and  we'll 

go  in  at  once." 

And  acting  upon  his  words  they  entered  within  the 
wide-open  gates,  and  curiously  looked  about  them  at 
the  strangely  enclosed  spot  which  had  been  given  the 
name  of  Fort  Mims  by  the  owner  of  the  place. 


.JiM»i»!.-itrh'.ii»QS 


TECUMSEU'S  YOUNG  BllAVES 


CHAPTER  VI 


LIFE    AT   FORT  MIM8 


V 


A  STRANGE  sight  was  that  which  our  party  looked 
upon  when  once  they  were  inside  the  gates  of 
Fort  Minis.  The  place  appeared  to  he  crowded  with 
people.  The  soldiera  were  mingling  with  the  citizens, 
and  women  and  cliildren  formed  a  large  part  of  the 
assembly.  Many  negroes  were  there,  and  a  few 
Indians  also  were  to  be  seen,  who  were  in  as  great 
fear  of  the  hostile  savages  as  the  whites  themselves 

were. 

The  new  arrivals  hardly  knew  where  to  go,  or  whom 
to  seek  at  first;  but  their  uncertainty  was  relieved 
when  Hunter  Josiah  Fletcher  hailed  a  man  who  was 
a  stranger  to  the  others,  but  whom  he  evidently  knew 

well. 

"Why,  Martin  Rigdon,  I  didn't  know  you  were 
here.  How  long  has  it  been  since  you  have  been 
seeking  shelter  from  the  redskins  at  Fort  Mims?" 
asked  Josiah. 

The  man  whom  he  thus  addressed  laughed  as  he 
replied,  "  I  am  not  seeking  shelter  for  myself,  Josiah, 


I 

t 


!»!>!'..  JIM  111-" m»a*M*'-'' I'"'"" 


* 

r  party  looked 
3  the  gates  of 
crowded  with 
sh  the  citizens, 
^e  part  of  the 
},  and  a  few 
re  in  as  great 
tea  themselves 

to  go,  or  whom 

was  relieved 

man  who  was 

ividently  knew 

low  you  were 
rou  have  been 
Fort  Mims?" 

laughed  as  he 
myself,  Josiah, 


.4 


LIFE  AT  FORT   MIMS 


61 


but  I've  been  detailed  here  to  help  look  after  these 
refugees.     What's  this  party  you've  brought  in  ?  " 

"  Oh,  some  friends  of  mine,"  said  Josiah,  "  who 
want  to  stay  here  for  awhile.  They  have  left  their 
home  up  on  the  river,  as  some  of  their  Injun  friends 
were  kind  enough  to  give  them  the  warning  word, 
and  I  want  to  find  a  place  for  them  inside  the  fort 
here  for  a  time." 

Martin  shrugged  his  shoulders  as  he  said,  "  A  place 
inside  the  fort  is  a  little  difficult  to  find  just  at 
present.  Every  spot  seems  to  be  in  demand;  but 
come  with  me  and  I'll  help  you  to  find  out  what  can 
be  done." 

Josiah  followed  his  friend,  and  in  the  course  of  a 
half-hour  returned  with  the  information  that  the 
women  and  children  could  be  accommodated  in  one  of 
the  little  cabins,  but  that  the  boys  and  men  would 
have  to  find  their  resting-places  within  one  of  the 
mf  ny  board  shelters  that  had  been  erected. 

"This  is  a  great  place,"  said  Josiah,  "and  there 
have  been  a  great  many  changes  since  I  was  here  a 
ft  w  days  ago." 

'Ye*  "  '^plied  Mar*^*  i.  "and  things  are  not  in  the 

>8e  vo"  'njnw  BOmetV-   ■- 


62  TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 

in  Wayne's  army,  and  what  a  fl^ht  he  made  in  tho 
battle  of  Fallen  Timber,  at  the  Rapids  on  the  Man- 

mee,  in  171>4." 

»  He  fought  like  mad  there,"  replied  Martin,  "  so 
they  tell  me,  and  in  1799  they  made  him  a  captain ; 
but  the  best   luck    he    ever   had    was    last    March, 
when  they  made  a  brigadier-general  of  volunteers  of 
him,  and  he  has  been  at  work  ever  since.     The  fii-st 
thing  he  did  this  summer  was  to  try  to  give  some 
protection  to  the  people  who  were  so  frightened  about 
the  Indians  in  this  part  of  the  country.     He  wanted 
to  take  all  the  soldiei-s  he  had  right  into  the  Creek 
country  up  around  the  Coosa  and   Tallapoosa,   but 
General  Flournoy  would  not  allow  it.     He  said  he 
had  had  no  orders  from  the  War  Department  for  any 
invasions,   and   was  allowed  to  go  on  the  defensive 
only ;  but  he's  been  strengthening  all  the  block-houses 
and  defences,  and  has  sent  some  of  his  men  off  into 
the  border  land  and  along  the   Chocktaw   frontier. 
He's  been  here,  too,  and  if   it  hadn't  been  for  him 
Fort  Mims  would  have  been  no  better  than  a  rat-hole. 
Not  that  it's  very  much  better  yet,  but  it's  a  good  desl 
better  than  it  would  have  be^^  if  Claiborr^    hadr  f 
been  here  and  st'  iicrhtene ' 


LIFE  AT   FORT   MI MS 


(53 


made  in  tho 
)n  tiie  Mau- 

Martin,  "  so 
n  a  captain ; 

last    March, 
volunteers  of 
e.     The  fii-st 
to  give  some 
[htened  about 
He  wanted 
to  the  Creek 
llapoosa,   but 
He  said  he 
ment  for  any 
the  defensive 
e  block-houses 

men  off  into 
:taw   frontier. 

been  for  him 
ihan  a  rat-hole, 
t's  a  good  dee  1 
libon^     hadr  f 


Before  Claiborno  had  gone  to  Fort  Minis,  many 
of  tho  wealthy  half-blood  families,  as  well  as  the 
whites,  led  on  by  their  feai-s,  had  gone  down  the 
Alabama  in  l)oats  and  canoes,  somewhat  after  the 
manner  in  which  our  friends  had  started.  Many  of 
these  had  hidden  themselves  in  the  thick  swamps 
around  Tensaw  lake.  After  a  time  they  had  joined 
the  white  refugees  in  constructing  a  strong  stockade 
around  the  houso  of  Samuel  Minis,  who  was  an  old 
and  wealthy  inhabitant  of  that  region. 

His  house,  one  story  high,  wtus  built  of  wood  and 
quite  large.  Strong  pickets  had  been  driven  around 
it,  and  fence  rails  placed  between  them.  Port-holes 
about  tlu-ee  feet  and  a  half  from  the  ground,  to  the 
number  of  five  hundred,  also  had  been  made.  About 
an  acre  was  enclosed  by  these  pickets,  and  there  were 
two  more  gates  made  in  the  stockade,  one  on  the 
western  and  the  other  on  the  eastern  side. 

Quite  a  number  of  other  houses  had  been  ejected 
within  the   pickets,  and   as  the  number  of  refugees 
increased,  cabins  and  board  shelters,  like  those  our 
*  friends  were  to  occupy,  had  been  built. 

At  iiie  south-west  corner  of  the  stockade  there  was 
a  block-  (ouse  which,  through  some  strange  neglect, 
vas  only  partially  finished  at  the  time  when  our 
friends  arrived. 

The  days  passed  monotonorsly  low.  Ther stockade 
was  enlarged  and  two  new  hi  tees  were  built.    Major 


64  TKCUMSKirS   YOUNG   HUAVKS 

lU-asley,  who  was  in  eonnnuiul  of  Koit  Minis,  i«sao(l 
rations,   and   received   all  who   could   aa«ist   in   the 
defence    or    needed    protection.      Expeditions    were 
sent  forth,  and  drafts  fretpiently  were  made  upon  the 
soldiers  at  the  fort,  until  their  nund)erwas  greatly  re- 
duced; hut  the  major,  either  because  of  his  ignorance 
and  inexperience,  or  because  of  some  strange  infatua- 
tion, declared  that  he  could   protect  the  place  with 
oven  the  small  number  of  soldiers  he  had,  and  pre- 
tended to  laugh  at  the  fright  of  the  refugees,  who 
daily  came  and  brought  alarming  reporte  of  the  move- 
ments of  the  Indians. 

Occiisionally,  also,  word  was  brouglit  from  some  of 
the  other  stations,  and  there  wiis  a  report  that  about 
four  hundred  of  the  Creek  warriors  were  preparing  to 
fall  upon  Fort  Eusley,  which  was  about  sixty  miles 
distant  from  Fort  Mims  and  nearer  the  enemy. 

Major  Bejwley,  finding  Uie  number  of  refugees  in- 
creasing very  rapidly  within  the  post  of  which  he  had 
charge,  connnenced  to  enlarge  it.  A  new  row  rf 
pickets  was  driven  about  sixty  feet  beyond  the  eaht  - 
em  end.  Tom  and  Jerry  had  their  share  in  this 
work,  but  it  was  carried  on  so  slowly  and  careless)  v, 
^  that  their  own  fears  Increased  with  every  passii  j 

day. 

Again  and  again  the  whole  place  would  be  thrown 
into  confusion  by  the  reports  that  the  Indians  w< 'O. 
approaching,  but  as  these  were  found  to  be  only  fa' ;  ■ 


LIFE  AT  FORT  MIMS 


65 


liins,  iss-acd 
wist   iu   the 
itions   were 
tie  upon  the 
s  greatly  re- 
is  ignorance 
nge  infatua- 
!  place  with 
id,  and  pre- 
{ugees,  who 
of  the  move- 

[roni  some  of 
t  that  ahout 

preparing  to 
b  sixty  miles 
nemy. 

refugees  in- 
which  he  had 

new  row  F 
ond  the  ea»t- 
ihare  in  this 
nd  carelessly, 
jvery  passii  j 

dd  be  thrown 
Indiaiis  vn<v. 
r>  b6  only  fa 


rumors,  the  carelessness  of  the  leadei-s  increased,  and 
most  of  the  men  were  inclined  more  and  more  to 
belittle  the  fears  of  an  Indian  attack. 

"  It's  like  that  old  story  in  our  reading-book,"  said 
Josiah  one  day.  "It  told  about  a  l)oy  who  was  a 
shepherd  lad,  and  every  day  went  home  saying  that  a 
wolf  had  come  down  upon  his  sheep,  and  the  men 
went  out  to  help  him ;  but  at  bust  when  they  found 
that  he  was  lying  to  them  all  the  while,  they  got  so 
they  didn't  pay  any  attention  to  his  words,  and  finally 
when  the  wolf  really  did  come  they  left  the  boy  all 
alone  to  fight  him.  The  fight  didn't  bust  very  long, 
for  the  wolf  soon  had  thelKty  and  the  slieci)  too." 

In  tlui  early  evening  the  young  people  often  jussem- 
bled  in  some  one  of  the  houses  and  played  games  and 
danced,  so  careless  had  they  l)ecome,  and  so  secure 
did  they  feel,  under  the  bold  words  of  their  leadera, 
against  any  attack  by  their  Indian  foes.  Some  of  the 
negroes,  who  were  slaves  of  some  of  the  refugees, 
furnished  the  music  and  added  to  the  si)ort. 

Tom  and  Jerry  with  their  sister  entered  somewhat 
into  these  ganies,  but  the  boys  were  not  entirely  with- 
out fear,  so  strong  and  so  constant  had  l)een  the 
warnings  which  their  hunter  friend  had  given. 

One  morning,  which  wii.s  the  twenty-ninth  of  Au- 
gust, two  negroes,  one  of  whom  was  the  Ciesar  they 
had  met  when  they  first  came  to  Fort  Mims,  came 
running  into  the  fort.     Their  faces  were  livid  with 


6G 


TECUMSEirS  YOlJNfi   UHAVKS 


fear,  and  thoy  wore  so  frightened  they  scarcely  could     - 
talk.     At  last,  after  much  labor,  their  story  wius  dmwn 
from  them,  and  they  declared  that  when  they  had 
been  down  near  one  of  the  swamps  looking  after  some 
of  the  beef  cattle,  they  had  been  startled  and  frightr     j 
ened   almost   out   of    their  senses   by   the  sight  of 
twenty-four  Indians,  hideous  in  their  war-paint,  and     , 
evidently  prowling   around   the   fort  with  no   good 

intent. 

The  major  at  once  sent  Captain  Middleton  with 
a  couple  of  mounted  men  to  reconnoitre.  They 
remained  outside  until  near  sunset,  and  when  they  re- 
turned to  the  fort  they  declared  that  not  a  trace  of  an 
Indian  could  they  find.  Major  Beasley  became  very 
angry  at  the  negroes  then,  ud  charged  them  with 
lying.  The  more  they  protested  their  innocence  and 
the  truthfulness  of  their  message,  the  more  angiy  the 
major  became,  and  finally  he  ordered  both  of  them  to 
be  flogged  for  raising  a  false  alarm. 

CKsar,  who  was  the  slave  of  John  Randon,  was  the 
fii-st  one  to  have  his  back  bared  and  receive  the  lashes. 
Hunter  Josiah  and  our  two  boys  were  veiy  indignant 
at  this  flogging,  and  together  with  Mr.  Fletcher,  who 
owned  the  other  negro,  tried  to  persuade  the  major  to 
give  up  the  punishment,  but  they  only  added  to  his 

anger. 

Turning   upon   Fletcher  he   declared   that  if   his 
negro  was   not  punished,  he  and  his  family  would 


.cBiJWBtatN 


LIFF  AT  FORT  MIM8 


« 


iii'cely  could 
•y  wiiii  (Imwn 
m  they  had 
ig  after  sf)me 
d  and  friglit- 
the  sight  of 
ar-paint,  and 
ith  no   good 

ddleton  with 
»itie.  They 
ivhen  they  re- 
a  trace  of  an 
became  very 
3d  them  with 
imocence  and 
lOve  angiy  the 
th  of  them  to 

,ndon,  was  the 
ive  the  lashes, 
'^ery  indignant 
Fletcher,  who 
e  the  major  to 
r  added  to  his 

d  that  if   his 
family  Avould 


have  to  leave  the  fort  by  ten  o'clock  the  next  day. 
Mr.  Fletcher's  family  was  a  large  one,  and  rather 
than  have  them  lose  the  protection,  weak  jvs  it  wivs, 
which  Fort    Mims    afforded,  he    consented  to  the 

flogging. 

As  Josiah  returned  to  their  rough  Iward  shelter, 
after  witnessing  the  punishment  which  had  lieen  in- 
flicted, he  said  to  the  boys,  "  This  is  a  great  place, 
this  is.  Just  see  how  many  of  the  people  here 
are  sick.  This  malaria  from  these  Alabama  swami)S 
is  enough  to  kill  a  dead  man ;  but  that  is  not  the 
worat  of  it.  I  tell  you  those  niggers  were  right,  and 
the  Injuns  are  prowling  around  here.  I  don't  believe 
this  fort  is  safe  for  a  minute.  The  Injuns  have  got 
all  tliis  crowd  shut  in  here  like  rata  in  a  hole,  and 
there'll  be  an  awful  time,  and  right  away,  too,  in  my 
opinion." 

"What  do  you  think  we  had  better  do?"  asked 

Tom. 

The  hunter  hesitated  as  he  replied,  "  There's  dan- 
ger inside,  and  there's  danger  outside.  I  don't  know 
where  there's  more  of  it.  There  are  a  few  soldiers 
here,  it  is  true,  but  they  can't  do  much  work  against 
the  crowd  which  the  redskins  will  send  here  if  they 
decide  to  attack  the  fort,  and  the  most  of  those  who 
are  here  can't  carry  a  ramrod,  to  say  nothing  of  a  gun. 
I'll  think  it  over  and  see  you  in  a  little  while ;  but  I 
don't  like  the  looks  of  things  at  all,  not  even  a  little 


ii 


I't 


68 


TECUMSBirS  YOUNG  BTIAVES 


bit.    There's  trouMc  ahead :  I'm  sure  of  it.     I  don't 
like  the  looks  of  tilings." 

The  hunter  left  them  sadly  perplexed,  while  he 
went  to  seek  his  friend  Martin  and  confer  with  him 
as  to  the  Iwst  plans  to  be  made  for  the  safety  of  the 
party  he  had  brought  to  the  fort. 


it.     I  don't 

1,  while  lie 
er  with  him 
iifety  of  the 


IN  THE  WOODS  AGAIN 


69 


CHAPTER  VII 


IN  THE    WOODS   AOAIN 


rpiIE  remarks  of  the  hunter  in  our  liwt  chapter  need 
^      a  little  further  explanation. 

Josiah  Fletcher  had  not  done  mueh  to  assist  in  the 
building  enterprises  of  P'ort  Minis,  but  every  day  he 
had  been  out  on  a  scouting  tour,  and  had  himself 
seen    many    sijns    of    Indians,    and    brought   back 
his  reports  to  Major  Beasley.     He  had  told  him  of 
his  fears,  and  the  major  ought  to  have  had  confidence 
enough  in  such  a  thorough  woodsman  as  Josiah  to 
have  trusted  somewhat  to  his  words,  especially  since 
he  was  not  the  only  one  who  had  been  frightened  and 
brought  alarming  reports;    but   Major   Beiusley  evi- 
dently was   confident  of  his   own   ability,  and,  rash 
even  in  his  weakness,  would  listen  to  no  words  ;  and 
as  the  scouts  became  more  anxious,  as  though  to  defy 
them  and  express  his  confidence  in  his  own  prowess, 
he  daily  became  more  and  more  careless. 

The  gates  of  the  stockade  were  left  wide  open,  and 
often  with  an  insufficient  guard,  and  indeed  at  times 
with  almost  no  guard  at  all.     The  work  of  enlarging 


70  TECUMaEH'S   YOUNd    IIKAVEH 

th«  HUxrkado  w.w  pushed  on  so  slowly  and  noKli- 
goutly,  that  a  sud.len  attack  by  the  Indians  would 
have  found  the  people  of  the  fort  uni)repared,  and 
unable  to  make  a  strong  resistance. 

The  whipping  of  the  two  negroes  also  had  in- 
creased the  hunter's  disgust,  and  a.lded  to  his  fear. 
For  himself  he  felt  no  alarm.  He  had  no  one  depen- 
dent upon  him,  and  felt  abundantly  able  to  care  for 
himself,  even  in  the  midst  of  such  wily  foes  m  he 
well  knew  the  hostile  Creeks  to  be. 

He  left  the  boys  after  the  interview  wo  have 
r..corded,  and  went  to  talk  with  his  friend  Martin. 
For  an  hour  or  more  the  old  commdes  talked  over 
the  situation,  with  many  a  shake  of  the  head  and 
foreboding  word.  At  hwt  Josiah  returned  to  the 
place  where  he  had  left  the  boys,  and  the  look  of 
determination  which  they  saw  upon  his  face,  at  once 
informed  them  that  he  had  arrived  at  some  conclu- 
sion, and  wsis  ready  for  action. 

"  I  don't  know  but  I'm  doing  a  foolish  thing,  boys, 
but  I  can't  help  it.  Martin  agrees  with  me,  and  the 
thing  I  want  you  to  do  is  this:  I  want  you  to  take 
your  mother  and  Nance  and  the  children,  and  get  out 
of  the  fort  right  away." 

"  Get  out  of  the  fort  I  "  said  Jerry.  "  Why,  if  the 
Indians  are  as  thick  aiound  here  as  you  think  they 
are,  it  will  be  like  jumping  out  of  the  frying-pan  into 
the  fire." 


IN  THE   WOODS   AGAIN 


71 


ami  iiPgli- 
lians  would 
■upared,  uiul 

ilso   luul  in- 
to his  ft'ivr. 

0  one  ilepen- 
to  care  for 

y  foes  iVH  he 

3W  wo  have 
lend  Mai-tin. 
talked  over 
he  head  and 
lined   to   the 

1  the  look  of 
face,  at  once 
some  conclu- 

h  thing,  Iwys, 
I  me,  and  the 
it  you  to  take 
1,  and  get  out 

"  Why,  if  the 
ou  think  they 
rying-pan  into 


"It's  warm  I'lioiigli  in  cillu'r  place,"  roplicul  the 
hunter  diyly,  "aiwl  I  don't  know  that  your  si'iili»  will 
Ik!  any  tighter  on  your  head  than  it  would  la;  in  the 
fort,  if  you  were  out«ide,  hut  something's  got  to  Ims 
done.  I  know  this  i)la('e  is  not  safe,  and  I'm  satisfied 
the  Injuns  have  got  designs  against  it,  and  they're 
going  to  act  pretty  sudden,  too." 

"  Do  you  want  us  to  go  right  away  ?  " 

"  Yes,  right  off.  I  don't  want  you  to  waste  five 
minutes." 

"  But  where  are  we  to  go? "  asked  Tom  aghaxt. 

"  Go  to  Fort  Pierce.  It's  not  far  from  here.  It's  not 
over  three  or  four  miles  away  at  the  farthest,  and  I 
don't  Iwlieve  the  Injuns  think  the  place  is  worth  attack- 
ing —  at  least,  not  for  a  while  ;  but  I  tell  you  Fort  Mims 
is  going  to  catch  it,  and  there  won't  Ihj  many  of  the  five 
hundred  and  fifty-three  people  here  now  left,  I  am 
afraid.  But  if  they  do  attack  this  place,  as  I'm  sure 
they  will,  it  may  arouse  the  government  to  do  some- 
thing, and  little  insignificant  Fort  Pierce,  along  with 
a  good  many  othem  of  the  posts,  will  l)e  looked  after, 
then.  Besides,  there's  a  lot  of  new  whiskey  just 
arrived,  and  between  oui-selves  Major  Beasley  is  too 
drunk  most  of  the  time  to  look  after  this  place  as  he 
ought  to.  Think  of  it,  the  commander  of  Fort  Mims 
about  two-thirds  drunk  every  day !  But  don't  stop 
to  talk  here.  I'll  give  you  the  directioiui ;  at  least, 
I'll  give  them  to  Tom,  and,  Jerry,  you  go  and  get 


■-■Ah- 


-* 


72        TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 

your  folks   and  be  ready  to  start  as  soon  as  Tom 

comes  for  you." 

"  Aren't  you  going  with  us?  "  asked  Jerry. 
"Not  a  foot,"  said  Josiah  ;  » I've  got  to  stay  here, 
rm  appointed  to  stay  in  this  place,  and  it  won't  do 
for  me  to  leave.  If  a  lot  of  Injuns  fall  on  you  I 
couldn't  protect  you,  and  if  they  don't,  you  will  be 
just  iis  safe  without  me  as  you  would  be  with  me,  so 
I'll  stay  here  and  fight  it  out.  I'll  take  my  chai.oes 
with  the  five  hundred  and  fifty-three,  and  you'll  have 
to  take  your  chances  out  in  the  woods." 

The  protests  of  his  mother  and  the  surprise  of 
Nance  did  not  prevent  Jerry  from  insisting  upon  their 
making  preparations  to  start  at  once. 

«  That's  always  the  way,  that's  always  the  way," 
said  his  mother.    "I'm  never  allowed  to  rest  on  this 
earth.     Fii-st,  it's  moving  from  York  State,  and  then 
it's  nursing  your  father  after  the  tree  fell  on  him. 
Oh,  dear!  I  wish  he  hadn't  been  so  fond  of  'Tom 
and  Jerry.'    Then  it's  nureing  an  Indian,  and  then  it's 
leaving  your  home  and  starting  out  on  a  raft;  then  it's 
leaving  the  raft  and  tramping  through  the  woods  till 
you're  almost  dead,  and  then  it's  moving  on  from 
where  you're  safe, -for  Major  Beasley  says  it's  safe 
here,  —  and  then  it's  starting  out  again  for  another  fort. 
Oh,  dear !  I  wonder  when  the  end  will  come.    I  wish 
my  end  was  here.     I'd  about  as  soon  be  scalped  by  the 


»on  as  Tom 

sriy. 

3  stay  here, 
it  won't  do 
11  on  you  I 
you  will  be 
with  me,  so 
my  chauoes 
I  you'll  have 

surprise   of 
:ig  upon  their 

ys  the  way," 
rest  on  this 
ate,  and  then 
fell  on  him. 
)nd  of  'Tom 
,  and  then  it's 
raft ;  then  it's 
he  woods  till 
ving  on  from 
says  it's  safe 
)r  another  fort, 
come.  I  wish 
scalped  by  the 


IN  THE  WOODS  AGAIN 


78 


Indians,  as  drop  daad  from  being  so  tired  I  couldn't 

Ijreathe." 

Jerry  listened  to  what  his  mother  had  to  say,  but 
without  expressing  any  sympathy,  or  offering  any 
farther  explanation,  he  insisted  that  they  should  go 

with  him. 

They  did  not  stop  even  to  say  good-by  to  the  major, 
but,  joined  by  Tom,  started  once  more  out  into  the 
forest     This,  the  boys  knew,  was  peopled  with  savages, 
who  were  fUled  with  hate  and  rage,  and  who  would 
slay  any  of  the  whites  if  they  fell  into  their  power. 
They  felt  their  responsibility,  and  their  hearts  were 
heavy  as  they  departed.    They  were  the  only  ones 
to  leave  the  fort,  so  far  as  they  could  see,  and  the 
fear  wldch  they  had  felt  inside  the  stockade  was 
not  lessened  when    they  began    their  new    march 
through  th.?  forest. 

Slowly  and  carefully  they  made  their  way  onward, 
Jerry  leading  the  procession,  and  Tom  serving  iw  the 
rear  guard,  and  holding  his  gun  in  constant  readmess. 
They  w&e  not  able  to  make  very  rapid  progress,  as 
the  children  could  not  be  carried  now,  except  for 
short  distance  and  they  frequently  were  cor-elled 
f-  .^top  for  re^t.  The  boys  were  glad  * 
er  had  cefesed  hor  comi'-.'nings, 
i«,red  tbe  expedition  t*>    ";^fti 


^ff 


,*"j«;^a. 


74 


TECUMSEII'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


Alx)ut  half  the  distance  to  Fort  Pierce  had  been 
covered  when  they  stopi)ed  once  more  to  rest.  The 
entire  party  was  silent,  oppressed  with  fear,  and  yet 
rejoicing  that  no  signs  of  their  foes  had  yet  been  seen. 

Suddenly  one  of  the  children  called  out,  "Black 
man,  —  I  see  a  black  man." 

The  lK)ys  at  once  arose,  and,  holding  their  guns, 
peered  out  into  the  forest.  "Charlie  was  right," 
said  Jerry,  "  there  is  some  one  following  us."  And 
all  turned  to  watch  the  woods  behind  them. 

The  boys  were  frightened,  and  yet  they  grasped 
their  guns,  determined  to  do  their  best  if  they  should 
be  compelled  to  defend  the  party. 

Soon,  out  from  the  midst  of  the  trees  they  saw  three 
Indians  coming.  They  marched  in  single  file,  glanc- 
ing neither  to  the  right  nor  left,  and  following  the  trail 
which  evidently  was  very  clear  to  their  eyes.  Their 
faces  were  painted,  and  the  appearance  they  presented 
was  savage  and  warlike. 

The  mother  began  to  cry  softly,  and  Jerry  noticed 

how  pale  his  sister's  face  was  when  he  glanced  at  hQr 

for  a  moment.        .       ■      • 

[      "It's  T'vdunaiBeh's young  biaves," said  T?om  in  a  low 

v«#  *^aaent  l^er,  and  v^th  a  fe^g  of  gr«iit 


IN  THE  WOODS   AGAIN 


m 


ce  had  been 
0  rest.  The 
fear,  and  yet 
at  been  seen, 
out,  "Black 

r  their  guns, 
was   right," 
g  us."     And 
em. 

they  grasped 
E  they  should 

hey  saw  three 
le  file,  glanc- 
wing  the  trail 
eyes.  Their 
hey  presented 

Jerry  noticed 
•;laQced  at  her 

TJom  in  a  low 
lag  of  grwfrt 


"  Where  go  ? "  asked  the  young  brave  whom  tlie 
boys  called  Captain  Jim. 
"  Fort  Pierce,"  replied  Tom. 
"  Ugh  !     Not  much  talk,  much  hurry,"  replied  the 

Indian. 
"What  do  you  mean?"  asked  Tom,     "Is  there 

danger?" 

"  No  pale-face  left  soon,"  replied  the  Indian  laconi- 
cally.    "  All  killed." 

"  What  will  become  of  us,  then  ?  "  said  Jerry. 

"  No  kill,"  replied  the  Indian.    "  Much  go,  healp 

quick." 

The  further  converaation  revealed  to  the  boys  the 
fact  of  some  g'-eat  danger  whicli  lay  behind  them,  and 
into  explanations  of  which  the  young  Indian  braves 
evidently  were  not  inclined  to  enter;  but  it  was 
clear  that  their  warning  was  given  because  of  their 
desire  for  the  safety  of  their  friends. 

The  young  pioneers  appreciated  the  motive,  and 
made  no  further  attempts  to  learn  what  the  danger 
was,  although  they  both  were  satisfied  that  some  move- 
ment againpt  Fort  Mims.was  being  plf^nedi,  and  the 
young  biay^"  "^  ' '    Jrtwna  *r,  ^f^'i^)fiJee^UJaa 


It; 


.•ffwr*"" 


ir^ 


■  v.«'"TO?','flll(f<! 


7e 


TECUM  SEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


"  I  wonder  if  it's  nil  true,"  said  Tom. 

"  It's  true  enough,"  replied  Jerry ;  "  and  it's  just  as 
true,  too,  that  we've  got  to  hurry  on,"  and  the  march 
was  at  once  resumed. 

But  a  slight  accident  occurred  soon,  for  the  direc- 
tions which  Josiah  had  given  Tom  were  forgotten,  and 
in  their  haste  they  mistook  their  way,  and  soon  came 
to  the  banks  of  Pine  Log  creek. 

"  I  thought  Fort  Pierce  was  this  side  of  the  creek," 

"So  did  I,"  replied  Tom,  "but  Fve  forgotten  every 
word  Hunter  Josiah  has  given  me,  and  I  don't  know 
where  the  place  is.  But  I'll  tell  you  what  to  do.  You 
stay  here  quietly  on  the  bank,  and  I'll  cross  over  the 
creek  and  explore  a  little.  If  I  don't  find  anytliing, 
we'll  keep  on  up  the  creek  and  see  what  we  can  do. 
I  don't  see  how  I  ever  could  have  made  such  a 
blunder,  but  that's  just  the  condition  of  affairs,  and 
there's  nothing  else  to  be  done." 

The  party  seated  themselves  on  the  bank,  concealed 
as  much  as' possible  by  the  bushes  that  grew  near  the 
water,  and  watched  Tom  »■«  l.e  waded  and  swam 
across  «ie  creek  -^^^  ^'•'«^'  '         '^^^  woods  or 

the  other  sklf 


\ 


t 

t 

4 
J 


ytji.*'' 


it's  just  as 
I  the  march 

•  the  direc- 
■gotten,  and 
I  soon  came 

the  creek," 

•otten  every 
don't  know 
to  do.  You 
>ss  over  the 
d  anytliing, 
we  can  do. 
lade  such  a 
affairs,  and 

ik,  concealed 

•ew  near  the 

and  swam 

■■^  woodR  or 


IN  THE  VVOOnS   AGAIN 


77 


For  an  hour  they  waited  on  the  hank  in  silence, 
keeping  careful  watch  in  every  direction,  alike  afraid 
of  some  sudden  attack  upon  themselves,  and  of  some 
danger  hefalling  the  brother  in  the  woods  across  the 

creek. 

In  the  course  of  two  hours  Tom  returned,  declar- 
ing that  he  could  find  no  signs  of  Fort  Pierce.  "  I'm 
completely  puzzled,"  he  said,  "and  I  don't  know 
what  to  say  or  where  to  turn,  hut  the  only  thmg  we 
can  do  is  to  keep  on  up  the  creek,  and  see  what  we 

can  find." 
.       Greatly  dejected,  the  party  resumed  their  march, 
and  tilled  with  sad  forebodings  again  started  on  their 
search  for  Fort  Pierce. 


mtm^^mr^*  '  ■ ,'  I" '-J-r ■'■,"■**'"■'»'" '—,^<^ ^i** 


78 


TECUMSEFI'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


CHA.PTER  VIII 


THE  MASSACRE 

THE  fugitives  were  nearer  Fort  Pierce  than  they 
knew,  for  but  a  few  moments  had  elapsed  before 
they  saw  the  walls  of  the  strange-looking  place  rising 
before  them. 

An  entrance  was  obtained,  and,  although  the  number 
of  refugees  here  was  far  less  than  at  Fort  Mims,  and 
the  defence  much  weaker,  they  soon  entered  into  the 
life  of  the  place,  and  the  boys  took  their  part  in  the 
work  of  the  garrison. 

Two  days  filled  with  anxiety  passed,  and  they  were 
becoming  somewhat  accustomed  to  the  monotony  of 
the  life  there. 

It  was  the  afternoon  watch,  and  both  our  boys  were 
on  guard  at  one  of  the  gates.  Suddenly  their  atten- 
tion was  arrested  by  the  sight  of  two  men  approaching. 
As  they  came  nearer  they  were  impresHod  by  their 
worn  and  weary  appearance,  and  the  eviduuce  of  come 
struggle  through  which  they  hpd  passed. 

"  It's  Hunter  Josiah,"  said  Tom  excitedly.  "  It's 
Josiah  Fletcher;"  and  he  hailed  his  former  companion 
and  welcomed  him  within  the  fort. 


e  than  they 
iipsed  before 
'  place  rising 

li  the  number 
d  Mims,  and 
jred  into  the 
r  part  in  the 

ad  they  were 
monotony  of 

lur  boys  were 
y  their  atten- 
approaching. 
serl  by  their 
leiice  of  Dome 

tedly.  "It's 
ler  companion 


TIIK   MASSACRE 


79 


The  appearance  of  tlie  two  men  was  such  as  to  in- 
dicate the  suffering  and  excitement  which  recently 
had  been  theirs.  For  some  time  Josiah  wius  unable  to 
speak,  but  at  hist,  when  he  had  been  served  with  food 
and  rested  a  little,  he  began  his  story. 

"  It's  all  up  with  Fort  Mims,"  said  the  hunter,  "and 
there's  hardly  a  soul  left  to  tell  the  story.  Only  about 
a  dozen  have  escaped  with  their  lives." 

"What!  Out  of  the  whole  number?  "  said  Jeriy, 
aghast.  "  There  must  have  been  five  hundred  and 
fifty  there  when  we  left." 

"So  there  were,"  replied  the  hunter,  "but  a  dozen 
people  are  all  that's  got  away,  and  one  of  those  is 
Hester,  a  negro  woman,  and  another  is  Socca,  a  friendly  ^ 
Indian.    But  if  you'll  be  quiet  I'll  tell  you  the  whole 
story.    You  know  that  Peter  McQueen,  after  the  battle 
of  Burnt  Com  creek,  went  down  to  Pensacola  with  all 
his  followers.     There  the   British  stocked   them  up 
again,  and  I'm  told  offered  as  much  as  five  dollars  for 
eveiy  white  man's  scalp  they  would  bring  in.    They 
were  to  do  all  the  damage  they  could  everywhere,  and 
if  they  should  happen  to  be  defeated,  they  were  to 
send  their  women  and  children  down  to  Pensacola. 
Then,  if  the  Americans  should  prove  too  much  for 
them  all,  they  explained  to  Peter  how  they  had  ves- 
sels enough  there  to  cany  them  all  to  Havana. 

"Well,  McQueen  started   out  with  his  followei-s, 
along  with  Josiah  Francis  and  William  Weatherford, 


80 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG   IJRAVES 


both  of  them  half-breeds,  you  know,  though  I'll  say 
for  Weatherford  that  he's  the  Iwst  one  I  ever  saw,  if 
he  did  lead  the  attack  against  Fort  Mims.  He's  a 
magnificent-looking  man.  He's  tall  and  strong,  and 
as  decent  as  it's  possible  for  such  a  man  to  be. 

"  Well,  they  had  a  great  gathering  of  the  Injuns  up 
at  Toockabatcha,  and  there  they  got  ready  to  start 
out.    You  see  the  Spaniards  wanted  the  trouble  made 
up  there,  to  draw  off  our  men  from  Mobile." 
"Why?"  asked  Jerry. 

"  Oh,  the  Spaniards  have  felt  all  along  as  if  Mobile 
belonged  to  them,  and  they  have  wanted  to  take  it 
again ;  but  late  in  August,  Weatherford  had  his  men 
at  the  plantation  of  Zachariah  McGirth.  There  he 
wiis  lucky  enough  —  or  unlucky,  if  you  look  at  it  from 
our  side  —  to  seize  some  darkies,  and  from  them  he 
learned  all  about  the  state  of  things  at  Fort  Mims. 
One  of  the  darkies,  by  the  way,  escaped  and  came 
down  to  our  fort,  but  Beasley  wouldn't  listen  to  him, 
and  had  liim  flogged  just  as  he  had  the  others." 

Josiah  stopped  for  a  moment  as  if  the  story  he  was 
telling  was  almost  too  much  for  his  feelings,  rough 
hunter  though  lie  was.  But  in  a  moment  he  resumed 
and  said,  "  The  morning  of  the  last  of  Augxist  was 
a  day  I  shall  always  remember.  It  was  hot  and 
clear.  The  people  inside  the  fort  felt  all  right  then, 
and  Beasley  even  had  sent  a  messenger  to  Oeneral 
Claiborne  to  give  him  word  that  he  could  hold  the  fort, 


THE   MASSAOKE 


81 


h  rilsay 
er  saw,  if 
.  He's  a 
brong,  and 
to  be. 
Injuns  up 
y  to  start 
uble  made 


if  Mobile 

to  take  it 
id  his  men 

There  he 
:  at  it  from 
n  them  he 
i'oit  Minis. 

and  came 
ten  to  him, 
ere." 

»ry  he  was 
ings,  rough 
he  resumed 
^.ugxist  was 
LS  hot  and 
right  then, 
to  Oeneral 
old  the  fort, 


agaiiiHt  any  numlier  of  Injuns  ;  but  Beasley  was  too 
drunk  to  know  nuich,  and  that  explains  nuieh  of  the 
trouble,  after  all. 

"  I  can  see  the  women  now  as  they  were  getting 
dinner  ready.  Some  of  the  soldiers  were  hanging 
around  doing  nothing,  or  else  playing  cards,  and 
some  of  them,  I  renaember,  were  fast  asleep  on  the 
ground.  I  should  think  there  were  a  hundred 
youngstera,  too,  playing  and  dodging  around  among 
the  cabins  and  tents,  and  some  of  the  young  fellows 
and  the  girls  wHire  dancing. 

"  I  remember,  too,  how  that  poor  negro  stood  there 
tied  to  the  stake,  with  his  back  all  bare  for  the 
flogging.  The  people,  of  course,  didn't  know  it, 
but  it  was  the  most  awful  moment  in  their  lives. 
You  remember  that  ravine  out  beyond  the  eastern 

gate?" 

"  The  one  all  covered  over  with  trees,  and  in  which 
everything  grew  so  rank?"  asked  Jerry. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Josiah.  "  Well,  right  there,  there 
were  a  thousand  Creek  warriors  hidden,  and  all 
ready  to  spring  on  the  fort.  They  were  nearly  naked, 
and  I  never  saw  men  so  painted  as  they  were.  You 
see,  they  had  some  of  the  prophets  along  with  them, 
and  one  or  two  of  them  I  was  lucky  enough  to  pick 
off  myself  a  little  later.  They  had  their  faces  all 
painted  black,  and  their  rods  and  medicine-bags  were 
by  their  sides. 


1 


82        TECUM8EH  S  VOUNG  BRAVES 

"  Pretty  quick  the  drnin  Ixjgan  to  beat  for  dinner. 
I  had  noticed,  just  a  little  while  iKifore  that,  that  the 
eastern  gate  was  wide  open,  and  that  a  whole  lot  of 
sand  had  drifted  agaiuHt  it.  It  waH  so  deep  that  the 
gate  could  not  Ikj  shut,  and  I  wax  just  going  to  work 
to  shovel  it  away  myself,  when  I  heard  the  dium 
beat  for  dinner. 

"  The  Injuns  knew  something  of  the  habits  of  the 
people  at  the  fort;  at  lea«t,  I  think  they  must  have 
known,  for  they  acted  just  as  if  the  fii^t  tap  wa.s  the 
signal  they  were  waiting  for.  The  first  thing  we 
knew  there  Wius  the  most  awful  yell  you  ever  lieard, 
and  the  whole  gang  of  them  came  running  through 
that  open  gate. 

"Beasley  wiw  a  fool,  but  I'll  say  for  him  he  was 
not  a  coward,  and  the  first  thing  he  did  was  to  run 
for  the  gate  and  try  to  close  it.  Some  of  his  sokUers 
were  quick-witted  enough  to  rush  to  the  portrholes, 
but  I'll  never  forget  to  my  dying  day  the  sight  of  the 
women  and  children,  and  the  men  who  didn't  have 
any  guns,  as  they  all  tried  to  crowd  into  the  houses 

and  cabins. 

"The  major  was  not  quick  enough.  Before  he 
could  dig  out  the  sand  and  shut  the  gate,  the  Injuns 
were  at  him.  They  used  their  clubs  and  tomahawks 
first,  and  chopped  him,  and  then  they  rushed  over  his 
body  into  the  new  enclosure.  ^  Beasley  had  life  enough 
left  in  him  to  crawl  behind  the  gate,  and  though  he 


THE  MASSACRE 


83 


)!•  dinner. 
,  that  the 
ole  lot  of 
)  tliat  tho 
g  to  work 
the  (bum 

[)its  of  the 
nust  have 
ap  wius  the 
thing  we 
ver  heard, 
ig  through 

im  he  was 
was  to  run 
his  soldiers 
port-holes, 
ight  of  the 
lidn't  have 
the  houses 

Before  he 

,  the  Injuns 

tomahawks 

led  over  his 

life  enough 

though  lie 


didn't  live  but  a  few  minutes,  as  long  as  ho  could 
breathe  he  called  out  to  his  men  to  light. 

''The  InjnnH  soon  filled  up  the  outer  enclosure, 
and  in  the  field  beyond  there  was  a  great  crowd  of 
yelling  savages.  I  rememl)er  noticing  how  the 
proi)hets  k'gau  their  dances ;  but  one  or  two  of  them 
won't  dance  any  more,  that  I'm  sure  of,"  and  Josiah 
tapped  his  gun  signifimntly. 

"  Five  of  their  pr  <  dropped  pretty  quick,  and 

the  Injuns  stopped  iui  a  moment  and  made  as  if  they 
were  going  to  clear  out,  but  others  crowded  in,  and 
with  such  yells  and  howls  as  you  never  hoard,  they 
began  to  fire  through  the  port-holes. 

"I  remember  that  poor  negro  tied  out  there  wait- 
ing for  the  lash  that  never  was  to  fall  on  him,  and  for 
doing  what  would  have  been  the  best  deed  the  fort 
ever  had  done  for  it ;  but  he  was  shot  among  the  very 
first.     Captain  Middleton  had  charge  of  the  eastern 
side,  but  it  didn't  seem  a  minute  before  he  was  dead, 
and  every  man  with  him.     Captain  Jack,  off  on  the 
south  side,  and  his  rifle  company  were  fighting  like 
demons.     Lieutenant  Randon  was  fighting  from  the 
port-holes  on  the  west,  and  Captain  Bailey,  who  had 
general  charge  after  Beasley  was  killed,  seemed  to  be 
everywhere  at  once.     It  was  great  work  he  did. 

"  But  it  was  the  toughest  time  I  ever  saw.  You 
remember  there  were  two  enclosures,  and  how  they 
were  separated  by  a  row  of  log  pickets  with   port- 


u 


TBCUMSEirS  YOUNG  URAVES 


( 


holes  and  an  opon  givto.  On  one  side  were  the  women 
and  the  .•liildren,  and  a  few  soldiew  and  men  wlio 
liadn't  any  j^uns;  and  on  the  other  wore  those  yelling 

savages. 

"  The  only  thing  for  the  people  inside  the  fort  to  do 
was  to  kill  the  savages  or  Iw  killed  by  them,  and 
pretty  quick  they  got  their  second  wind  and  their 
courage  came  back.  They  fired  through  the  portr 
holes,  and  I  tell  you  they  made  some  pretty  bi-^'  holes 
a.-nnf?  Ilxi  savages  ;  but  it  didn't  seem  to  do  much 
good,  for  ^there  rushed  in  and  took  their  idaces,  and 
there  were  so  many  of  them  that  a  few  losses  didn't 

count. 

"  Even  the  boys  and  the  old  men  were  fighting,  and 
I  saw  some  women  too  who  handled  the  guns  like 
'.leroes.  Hailey  kept  telling  the  people  to  hold  on  a 
little  longer,  and  that  the  Injuns  never  fought  very 
long  at  a  time,  and  he  tried  to  get  some  to  go  with 
him,  and  make  a  dash  against  them,  but  nobody 
seemed  to  want  to  follow  him. 

"  The  fight  went  on  for  tliree  hours,  and  then  just  as 
Bailey  had  said,  the  Injuns  began  to  get  tired.  They 
didn't  howl  as  they  had  been  doing,  and  were  not  fir- 
ing as  they  had  been  before.  The  people  shut  up  in 
the  maui  fort  began  to  think  the  end  was  coming,  but 
they  never  were  more  mistaken  in  their  lives. 

"Weatherford,  who  knew  pretty  well  the  condition 
of  things,  was  riding  on  one  of  the  handsomest  gray 


the  women 

men  who 

080  yelling 

3  fort  to  do 
them,  and 
and  their 
li  the  v"'"^ 
;y  bi;^  holes 
to  do  much 
places,  and 
)88e8  didn't 

ighting,  and 
e  gnna  like 
)  hold  on  a 
fought  very 
B  to  go  with 
but  nobody 

then  just  as 
;ired.  They 
were  not  fir- 
)  shut  up  in 

coming,  but 
ives. 

the  condition 
Isomest  gray 


.--.-^^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Sciences 

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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14S80 

(716)  872-4503 


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Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductlons  /  Instltut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historlques 


THE  MAS8ACRE 


85 


horses  I  ever  saw,  and  he  took  after  the  Injuns,  who 
were  beginning  to  move  away,  and  pretty  soon  got 
them  back  again.  At  least  I  think  it  was  Weather- 
ford,  though  some  said  it  wasn't ;  but  everybody  was 
excited,  and  couldn't  tell  very  well  just  what  was  go- 
ing on.  The  Injuns  came  back  and  went  to  fight- 
ing again,  anyway.  They  yelled  like  demons  as  they 
came  on  together,  and  filled  up  the  outer  enclosure. 
Captain  Bailey  had  some  pretty  good  sharpshooters 
with  him,  and  they  kept  them  back  a  little,  and  I 
know  I  shot  a  good  many  of  them  myself ;  but  Weath- 
erford  was  watching  everything,  and  pretty  soon  he 
got  some  of  his  men  to  begin  to  shoot  burning  arrows, 
and  in  a  little  while  the  foit  was  on  fire,  and  some  of 
the  people  started  for  some  of  the  other  buildings, 
but  a  good  many  stayed  behind  and  were  roasted 
right  there. 

"  The  fire  rapidly  spread  to  the  other  buildings,  and 
I  never  shall  forget  the  sight,  when  in  a  few  minutes 
almost  everything  was  roaring  and  crackling  in  the 
flames.  You  could  hear  the  shrieks  of  the  women 
and  children,  and  that  of  course  made  matters  a  good 
deal  worse. 

"  There  was  only  one  place  left  now,  and  that  was 
Patrick's  loom-house.  You  remember  that  wsis  on 
the  northern  side  and  had  been  enclosed  with  extra 
strong  pickets.  There  Bailey,  and  those  who  were 
left  alive  of  liis  company,  took  their  stand,  and  kept 


J' 


86 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


shooting  at  the  savages.  These  were  now  in  ths  main 
fort,  and  everyl)ody  was  trying  to  get  to  the  loom- 
house  ;  but  lots  of  them  were  killed  by  the  Injuns  a.s 
they  ran,  and  the  children  and  the  old  people  were 
trampled  to  death. 

» I  saw  old  Samuel  Mima,  while  he  wa.s  tiying  to 
mn  for  this  place,  shot  down,  and  while  he  was  yet 
alive,  an  Injun,  all  covered  with  blood,  cut  off  his 
scalp,  and  with  a  yell  waved  it  in  the  air. 

"  The  fire  and  the  Injuns  both  together  went  at  the 
loom-house  then.  They  broke  down  the  pickets  and 
began  to  torture  those  who  were  inside.  They  took 
the  little  tots  by  their  feet  and  knocked  their  brains 
out  against  the  pickets.  They  ripped  open  lots  of 
the  people  who  were  killed,  and  you  could  have  seen 
them  waving  the  scalps  they  had  cut  from  the  women, 
holding  them  up  by  their  long  hair. 

"  You  see  the  women's  scalps  are  worth  five  dollars 
apiece  just  as  the  men's  are.  The  sight  was  too  much 
for  Weatherford.  He  tried  to  call  off  his  men,  and 
begged  them  to  spare  the  women  and  the  children, 
but  they  turned  and  began  to  shake  their  clubs  at  him, 
and  I  didn't  know  for  a  minute  but  it  was  all  up  with 
him ;  but  he  couldn't  hold  his  men,  and  they  soon  left 
liim,  and  the  butchery  went  on. 

"  Four  hundred  out  of  the  five  hundred  refugees 
at  Fort  Mims  were  dead  by  sunset.  There  was  not 
a  white  woman  or  child  that  escaped.    They  had 


THE   MASSACRE 


87 


in  ths  main 
;o  the  loom- 
le  Injuns  a.s 
people  were 

ran  ti-ying  to 
}  he  was  yet 

cut  off   his 
air. 
•  went  at  the 

pickets  and 
They  took 
L  their  brains 
open  lots  of 
lid  have  seen 
n  the  women, 

;h  five  dollars 
was  too  much 
his  men,  and 
the  children, 
r  clubs  at  him, 
as  all  up  with 
they  soon  left 


blocked  up  every  way  out  of  the  fort,  and  yet  a  dozen 
of  us  managed  to  cut  our  way  through.  Captain 
Bailey  was  with  us,  but  he  died  out  here  by  the 
swamp.  That  negro  woman,  Hester,  though  slie  had 
a  ball  in  her  breast,  managed  to  get  away,  and  I  don't 
know  what's  Income  of  her,  though  I  think  she  has 
gone  down  the  river.  The  Injuns  didn't  kill  many 
of  the  darkies,  for  they  kept  them  to  he  their  slaves." 

"  How  many  of  the  Indians  were  killed  ? "  asked 
Tom  in  a  low  voice. 

"  Four  hundred,  anyway,  and  I  know  that  crowds 
were  back  in  the  morning  trying  to  carry  off  their 
dead.  Oh,  it  was  a  fearful  sight,  and  while  a  good 
many  of  them  have  gone  down  to  Pensacola  or 
farther  up  the  countiy,  there  are  a  lot  hanging 
around  here  yet,  and  Fort  Pierce  will  be  the  next 
spot  attacked." 

"Come  on,  then,  Josiah,"  said  Tom,  "let's  talk  it 
over  with  the  captain."  And  as  a  result  of  their 
interview,  that  very  day  all  the  inmates  of  the  fort 
were  packed  into  canoes  and  started  down  the  river 
towards  Mobile. 


idred  refugees 
['here  was  not 
d.    They  had 


Vi-^:i  "  '**.i"»W[*p!^,i>ji  miW'  '.HI' 


H. 


JJ: 


88 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


CHAPTER  IX 


THE   llETUUN 


THE  trip  to  Mobile  wna  safely  made  in  spite  of  the 
wily  Indians,  whose  presence  they  more  than 
once  detected  on  their  voyage.  Here,  however,  there 
waK  great  fear,  and  the  news  of  the  fearful  mtussacre 
at  Fort  Minis  spread  dismay  throughout  that  portion 
of  the  country.  Many  of  the  pioneera  flocked  to  the 
various  settlements,  and  left  their  families  under  the 
protection  of  the  soldiei's  there,  while  they  them- 
selves took  their  guns  and  started  forth  for  the  field 
of  action. 

As  soon  as  Tom  and  Jerry  had  seen  that  their 
family  was  comfortably  settled,  they,  with  Josiah  and 
Martin,  who  also  was  among  the  dozen  that  had  suc- 
ceeded in  making  their  escape  from  the  fort,  started 
once  more  for  the  scene  of  the  massacre. 

The  cry  for  help  went  northward  as  well  as  else- 
where, and  although  the  people  in  New  York  did  not 
hear  of  the  massacre  until  thirty-one  days  had  passed, 
the  sensation  it  produced  there  was  not  as  marked  as 
it  ought  to  have  been,  because  the  recent  victoiy  of 
Perry  on   Lake  Erie  had  produced  a  feeling  of  joy 


^^''•"'JSJ"  ijgg^  „-g?^5e^Macar  - 


'E8 


in  spite  of  the 
hey  more   than 

however,  there 
earful  miussacre 
lut  that  portion 
s  flocked  to  the 
iiilies  under  the 
lile  they  them- 
th  for  the  field 

3een  that  their 
ivith  Josiah  and 
sn  that  had  suc- 
the  fort,  started 
lore. 

as  well  as  else- 
w  York  did  not 
lays  had  passed, 
)t  as  marked  as 
ecer-t  victoiy  of 
1  feeling  of  joy 


THE  RETURN 


89 


tln-oughout  the  nation,  and  the  thoughts  of  all  the 
people  were  turned  with  intense  interest  to  the  move- 
ments of  General  Harrison,  who  was  then  just  ahout 
to  enter  Canada,  and  who  soon  retrieved  the  national 
misfortunes  and  disgraces  of  the  preceding  year  at 
Detroit. 

It  was  ten  days  after  the  massacre  before  our  boys 
arrived  at  Fort  Minis  with  Major  Kennedy,  who  had 
been  sent  by  General  Claiborne  to  bury  the  dead. 
As  they  approached  the  place,  it  was  a  sad  and 
horrible  spectacle  that  presented  itself.  The  air  was 
filled  with  the  buzzards  who  had  come  from  miles 
around  to  feast  on  the  bodies  of  the  dead.  Along 
with  these  there  were  many  dogs  who  were  not 
merely  fighting  among  themselves,  but  contending 
with  the  buzzards  for  the  foul  banquet.  The  spec- 
tacle was  almost  too  much  even  for  those  hardy 
soldiers  to  endure.  Many  of  them  were  made  sick 
by  the  sight,  and  a  fearful  cry  for  vengeance  was 
raised  by  them  all. 

Not  many  of  the  bodies  could  be  recognized,  and 
they  found  none  that  had  not  been  scalped.  At 
once  the  brave  men  prepared  for  action,  and  soon 
two  large  pits  were  dug,  into  which  they  were  to 
cast  the  bodies  of  the  slain.  Separate  burial  was  impos- 
sible, and  as  very  few  of  the  bodies  could  be  recog- 
nized, it  was  impossible  to  mark  even  the  names  of 
the  slain  upon  a  head-stone. 


»■•;■; 


.^,.„....ii.jiippmi  111   ii»-iiiiiiuM'-r 


; 


00  TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG   BUAVEH 

Thirteen  peoi)le  only,  it  had  been  learned,  had 
made  their  way  through  the  enemy's  lines,  and  now 
the  soldiers  were  prepared  to  cover  the  remains  of 
those  who  had  been  slain.  Mutilated  white  men  and 
women,  along  with  the  bodies  of  little  children  and 
those  of  Indians  and  negroes  as  well,  were  lying  in 
one  promiscuous  mass.  Some  had  been  butchered 
in  a  manner  that  language  cannot  describe. 

But  after  a  time,  even  that  sad  labor  was  ended, 
and  the  ruins  of  the  buildings  and  stockade  were  all 
that  were  left  to  show  that  there  ever  had  been  such 
a  place  as  Fort  Mims.    The  main  buildings  had  been 
burned  to  ashes,  and  these  were  almost  fUled  with 
bones.      The  plains  and  the  adjoining  woods  were 
tliickly  strewn  with  the  bodies  of  the  dead.    Every 
wooden    building  had    been  consumed  except  the 
block-house  and  a  part  of  the  pickets.     It  was  a  far 
different  sight  from  the  merry  scene  which  greeted 
the   boys  on  their  first  visit  to  the  fort,  when  the 
inmates  in  their  fancied  security  had  been  passing 
the  time  as  if  they  were  engaged  in  a  picnic,  or  were 
on  some  expedition  of  pleasure. 

When  the  work  at  last  had  been  completed,  and  all 
the  bones  and  bodies  had  been  buried  in  the  two 
pits  which  the  men  had  dug,  the  desire  for  ven- 
geance was  intensified.  The  most  intense  excitement 
and  alarm  had  spread  now  throughout  all  the  south- 
west, and  the  powerful  Indian  prophet  Francis  was 


m 


^r-Tw 


mmtfi^fy^i 


I  learned,  had 
lines,  and  now 
;he  renmins  of 
white  men  and 
e  children  and 
,  were  lying  in 
jeen  butchered 
iscribe. 

bor  was  ended, 
ackade  were  all 

had  been  such 
Idings  had  been 
aost  filled  with 
Qg  woods  were 
e  dead.  Every 
led  except  the 
J.  It  was  a  far 
I  which  greeted 

fort,  when  the 
d  been  passing 
I  picnic,  or  were 

mpleted,  and  all 
led  in  the  two 
desire  for  ven- 
tense  excitement 
ut  £^11  the  south- 
)het  Francis  was 


THE   RETURN 


m 


especially  busy  in  increasing  the  fear,  and  in  inciting 
the  victorious  Indians  to  spread  destruction  throughout 
the  region  that  lay  between  the  Alabama  and  the 
Tombigbee  rivers. 

Every  little  stockade    now   WiJS    filled   with   the 
frightened  refugees,  and  sickness  and  death  carried 
off  more  than   even  the  savage  Indians  themselves. 
The   distress   can    scarcely   be   imagined.      General 
Jackson,  as  we  shall  soon  see,  was  now,  i«J  he  had 
been  for  some  time,  busliy  engaged  in  his  efforte  to 
overcome  the  wily  and  treacherous  Indians,  and  pro- 
tect   the    scattered    people   from  attacks.     Settlers 
living,  far    from   the    homes    of    others  were    first 
sought  out  by  the  savages,  and  many  of  them  were  , 
slain  long  before  the  news  had  reached  them  of  the 
massacre  of  Fort  Minis,  or  they  had  been  made  aware 
that  the  Indian  uprising  had  become  anything  like 
as  general  as  it  was  afterward  known  to  be. 

Our  boys,  with  Josiah,  now  planned  to  push  their 
way  northward  to  Fort  Madison.  There  was  nothing 
for  them  to  do  at  home,  and  as  they  had  provided  for 
the  safety  of  the  family,  they  all  three  resolved  that 
they  would  have  a  shar«  in  the  efforts  of  the  country 
to  subdue  the  Indian  rmd  overcome  the  British  and 
the  Spaniards,  who  were  'en  more  active,  though  less 
open,  in  their  movements  than  the  Creeks. 

Under  the  direct  influence  of  Weatherford,  helped 
on  by  these  British  and  Spanish  officers,  the  Indians 


■^■■ 


I- 


92 


TKCUMSKII'S   YOUNG   BUAVI'IS 


had  Iwcome  ho  active  in  tliat  region,  tlin*.  CieniTal 
Flournoy,  who,  up  to  this  time,  liad  not  allowed 
General  Claiborne  to  act  except  on  the  defensive, 
soon  was  aroused  to  a  sense  of  the  necessity  of  some 
oflfensive  measures,  and  not  many  days  had  passed 
before  lie  ordered  General  Claiborne  to  take  his 
army,  and  advance  into  the  heart  of  the  Creek 
country. 

They  were  to  defend  the  settlere,  some  of  whom 
were  trying  to  gather  the  crops  that  were  yet  in  the 
field,  and  "to  drive  the  enemy" from  the  frontiers;  to 
follow  them  up  to  their  contiguous  boundaries,  and 
to  kill,  burn,  and  destroy  all  their  negroes,  houses,  and 
cattle  and  other  property  that  could  not  be  conven- 
iently brought  to  the  depots." 

This  order,  which  was  regarded  at  the  time  by  many, 
especially  by  those  in  the  North,  as  being  unnecessarily 
cruel  and  blood-thirety,  the  Georgia  general  justified 
by  the  conduct  of  Great  Britain  and  the  cruel  deeds 
of  her  Indian  allies. 

General  Claiborne  at  once  acted,  and,  crossing  the 
Tombigbee,  began  to  scour  the  country  on  its  eastern 
side ;  but  although  he  met  and  scattered  some  of  the 
Indian  bands,  it  was  impossible  to  bring  them  to  an 
open  battle  anywhere. 

Josiah  Fletcher  and  the  boys,  as  we  have  said,  now 
began  to  push  their  way  northward.  Again  and  again 
they  passed  some  home  which  had  been  burned  to  the 


lis 

,  thii*.  rieiiiTiil 
]  not  ullnwed 
tlu)  (Icfeiisivo, 
iessity  of  some 
lys  had  pii8scd 
B  to  tivko  Ilia 
of  the   Creek 

ionie  of  whom 
rere  yet  in  the 
le  frontiers ;  to 
(oundaries,  and 
les,  houses,  and 
lot  be  conven- 
ts time  by  many, 
^  unnecessarily 
eneral  justified 
ihe  cruel  deeds 

d,  crossing  the 
r  on  its  eastern 
ed  some  of  the 
ag  them  to  an 

have  said,  now 
Lgain  and  again 
1  burned  to  the 


THE  RETURN 


93 


ground,  and  fre{iuently  found  tlie  bones  of  the  women 
and  children  who  had  l)een  massacred.  Day  after  day 
they  advanced,  their  food  l>eing  scanty,  and  constantly 
seeing  signs  of  their  Indian  enemies. 

At  last,  one  day  m  they  were  making  their  way 
through  a  thick  forest,  Josiah  turned  to  the  lK)y8  with 
liis  (piiet  word  of  warning,  and  at  his  gesture  they 
(quickly  stepped  l)ehind  the  large  trees  among  which 
they  were  passing. 

"  There's  somebody  coming,"  said  Josiah,  "  and  I've 
a  dim  suspicion  that  it's  a  body  of  Indians." 
"  How  do  you  know  ?  "  asked  Tom. 
"  I'm  not  sure,"  replied  Josiah.     "  And  I  haven't 
time  to  explain  to  you  now  what  it  is  that  makes  me 
suspicious.    We  shall  soon  see  or  hear  some  one,  I'm 
positive.     Yes,  they're  coming,"  repeated  Josiah,  in  a 
whisper.     "  Keep  out  of  sight,  and  it's  possible  that 
they  may  not  strike  our  trail  right  away." 

Yes,  there  they  were  in  plain  sight  now,  and  Josiah's 
wortls  were  true.  As  the  boys  peered  through  the 
bushes  they  counted  a  party  of  ten  Indians  marching 
in  single  file  after  their  custom,  hideously  painted,  and 
evidently  bent  on  no  good  errand.  As  they  passed, 
the  boys  glanced  at  each  other  quickly  when  they 
recognized  the  young  Indians,  who  brought  up  the 
rear  of  the  procession,  as  Tecumseh's  young  braves. 
As  soon  as  they  had  passed  out  of  sight,  Josiah 
called  the  boys,  and  with  all  the  speed  they  could 


i».y.iii  wnnwF'>i»^ 


, 


04 


TKCuiwaEirs  yoiino  nuwRs 


nmkc,  uiul  yet  m  (iiiietly  oh  jtossiliKs  they  Htartod  on 
ill  the  (liroction  from  which  tlio  IikUhiih  had  como. 

Thoy  hud  littlo  expcftiitiou  that  ihv'w  own  trail 
wouhl  ('HPai)O  the  notice  of  these  vvanioi-s,  hut  their 
only  hope  in  any  event  hiy  in  their  altility  to  i>ut  lus 
great  u  distance  as  powsihle  hotween  them  and  this 

party. 

For  an  hour  they  pasHcd  on  an  nipidly  as  they  could 
go  and  then  8topi)ed  for  a  brief  rest. 

"  There  are  no  signs  of  them  yet,  are  tliere,  .fosiali  ?  " 
said  Tom  ;  but  the  hunter  only  shook  his  head  in  reply. 

"  I'm  going  to  double  on  our  trail,  now,"  said  he, 
"and  we'll  start  right  back  in  the  way  we  came.  It's 
going  to  be  dark  pretty  soon,  and  our  only  dianee  of 
escaping  these  tiends  will  be  to  double  on  our  tracks 
and  try  to  throw  them  off  the  scent.  I  don't  know 
that  we  can  do  it,  but  I'm  so  confident  that  they'll  find 
us,  or  at  leiust  that  they'll  strike  our  trail,  that  the  only 
thing  that  I  want  to  do  now  is  to  get  out  of  their  way. 
It  is  not  a  very  pleasant  feeling  to  know  that  any  mo- 
nient  you  may  be  shot  down,  and  that  when  you're 
least  suspecting  it  a  bullet,  or  some  Injun  arrow  or 
tomahawk,  may  come  flying  through  the  air  and  take 
you  off  before  you  know  it." 

The  dusk  soon  deepened  into  darkness.  Our  little 
party  of  three  did  not  dare  to  kindle  a  fire,  as  this 
would  only  increase  the  certainty  and  the  zeal  of  their 
Indian  pursuers.     Josiah  constantly  spoke  of  them  as 


Mvy  HtarUid  on 
s  had  cnmo. 
hv'w  own  trail 
rioi-s,  Imt  their 
hility  to  [)Ut  as 
them  and  this 

y  iis  they  could 

there,  .losiah  ?  " 
is  liead  in  reply, 
now,"  said  he, 
we  came.     It's 
only  cliance  of 
e  on  our  tracks 
I  don't  know 
that  they'll  find 
11,  that  the  only 
ut  of  their  way. 
»w  that  any  mo- 
at when  you're 
Injun  arrow  or 
he  air  and  take 

ess.  Our  little 
e  a  fire,  as  this 
the  zeal  of  their 
poke  of  them  as 


TMK   UKTUUM 


05 


„.oUK'h  they  were  f..llowinK,  Imt  as  yet  no  sign  of 
their  presence  ha<l  hcen  found.  . 

'^  Yes,  they  know  we're  here,"  saul  Josiah  qu.etl>, 
"an.l  it's  pretty  largely  a  <iucHtion  now  whether  we  11 
get  then.,  or  they'll  get  us.  I  know  about  where  we 
L.  It's  not  very  far  fron.  the  river.  We  can  hulo 
here  for  the  night,  or  at  Ictst  for  a  part  of  it,  and 
then  if  we  can  once  arrive  at  the  Alabama,  I  thuik  1 
can  throw  these  redskins  off  the  track." 

Hour  after  hour  now  passed,  our  little  party  remaui- 
ing  in  the  place  they  had  chosen,  eating  scmie  ro.wted 
acorns  they  had  carried  in  their  pockets,  but  kmdhng 
„o  fire  and  watchful  of  every  side.  As  the  darkness 
increi«.ed,  their  fea..  incre.u,ed  also.  Every  rusthng 
leaf  and  every  sigh  of  the  wind  startled  them  and 
n,ade  them  at  o.ice  attentive,  for  it  w>«  difficult  to 
distinguish  between  the  step  of  a  crafty  foe  and  the 
sounds  among  the  trees. 

It  must  have  been  near  uudnight  when  Josiah  siud, 
"  I  think  it's  late  enough  now  for  us  to  start.  We  11 
make  a  trial  of  it,  anyway,  and  if  we  civn  once  find 
the  river  I  tliink  we  can  get  away  from  these  men. 

"I  don't  see  why  you  think  they  are  foUowuig  us. 
Surely  they  parsed  by,  when  we  saw  them,  without 
n-ving  a  sign  .that  they  thouglit  there  was  any  sucn 
taing  as  a  white  man  within  hearing,"  said  Jerry. 

"That's  all  true  enough,"  replied  the  hunter,  "but 
when  you  have  had  as  much  experience  as  I  with 


B 

* 


•U 


Au 


—^  J.  j!yKWMIUi'»l''>""' " 


9G 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


tliese  red  variniiits,  you'll  know  that  they  won't  pass 
over  a  trail  made  by  three  white  men,  when  they 
have  a  band  three  times  the  size,  without  stopping  to 
examine  it  pretty  carefully,  and  most  likely  following 
it  up ;  but  we  must  not  stay  here  to  talk  any  more. 
I  think  I  can  find  the  way  all  right,  and  we  want  to  j 
keep  close  together."  And  the  little  party  started 
out  once  more  into  the  darkness. 

Every  step  was  made  cautiously  now,  and  even 
Josiah  displayed  an  alarm  that  increased  the  fear  of 
his  young  companions.  They  moved  like  the  shadows 
and  almost  as  silently.  The  river  was  not  far  distant, 
and  if  once  they  could  gain  its  bank,  they  thought 
their  safety  would  be  assured. 


^\ 


i^  j,-it"°"j'?4iiif""'"*^" 


THE   SPEECH  OF  TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVE 


97 


sy  won't  pass 
I,  when  they 
it  stopping  to 
ely  following 
ilk  any  more. 
1  we  want  to 
party  started 

w,  and  even 
1  the  fear  of 
e  the  shadows 
ot  far  distant, 
they  thought 


•  .-^ 


CHAPTER   X 

THE  SPEECH  OF  TECUMSEH's  YOUNG   BRAVE 

mHE  progress  winch  our  party  made  was  very  slow. 
T     T    y'planned  to  keep  together,  -.us  they  knew  an 
att..ck  if  one  were  to  ^oe  made,  would  come  suddenly 
:"o^^^  a  word  of  warning.     They  made  frequen 
IpHnd  listened  for  any  sounds  of  an  approachmg 

^"Z'keen  a«  Josiah  Fletcher  w..  he  V^^^^^ 
,e  w..  mistaken  ..  he  led  the  party  «"  .^f  ^J^^ 
frequent  stops  they  made  may  have  deceived  him  as 
ol  distance  they  had  covered,  or  it  may  l.ve  W 
that  he  wa.  not  as  familiar  with  the  region  as  he  had 
hn-mt^d  himself  to  be.  . 

On  they  went  in  single  file,  the  boys  espee,a^ty 
heing  fearful,  and  quiet  enough  to  -t^'y  -»  *" 
keenlceuted  hunter.  ThU  was  n.w  work  for  them 
and  hardy  hoys  as  they  were,  the  scanty  ood  th. 
long  ma-ihes,  and  the  cons..».t  presence  of  danger. 
woL  heeanse  unseen,  hegan  to  tell  upon  them. 

At  tat,  when  three  hou»  must  have  pa^ed,  hey 
stopped  for  a  moment,  and  Josiah  sa,d.     We  U  luve 


fl;iwM'*iaa'.-.at>  .,tMa»i«an- 


98 


TECUMSEH'S  YOU^JG  BRAVES 


to  change  our  positions.  Tom,  you  go  ahead  now, 
and,  Jerry,  you  take  the  middle  and  I'll  follow  up  the 
rear.  I  don't  see  why  it  is  we  don't  come  to  the 
river.  It  can't  be  far  from  here.  I've  always 
thought  I  could  find  my  way  to  the  Alabama  blind- 
folded and  in  the  darkest  night  if  I  was  set  down 
anywhere  within  a  hundred  miles  of  it ;  but  I  seem 
to  be  a  little  off  in  my  calculations  to-night,  and  I 
don't  see  why  it  is  that  I  don't  find  any  signs  of  the 
water." 

The  eyes  of  the  boys  were  now  somewhat  accus- 
tomed to  the  darkness,  and  they  had  less  difficulty  in 
making  their  way  through  the  forest.  When  the 
march  wa«  resumed  they  had  gone  but  a  short  dis- 
tance before  they  came  to  a  little  knoll,  from  which 
Tom,  who  was  now  in  advance,  was  certain  he  could 
see  the  river.  The  water  looked  like  silver.  The 
light  was  dim,  but  it  fell  upon  something  in  advance 
of  the  party  which  he  thought  must  be  the  glimmer- 
ing of  the  little  waves. 

"  Yes,  that's  the  river,"  said  Josiah  as  he  came  up, 
"  I'm  sure  of  it.  I  didn't  think  we  could  be  far  out 
of  the  way.  I've  not  travelled  this  region  all  my  life 
to  get  lost  for  nothing  when  the  worst  pinch  comes ; 
but  you  wait  here  a  bit  while  I  go  on  and  see  what 
the  prospect  is," 

The  boys  remained  where  they  were  and  waited  for 
hira  in  silence.     The  scene  about  them  was  strangely 


iffs 


ES 

o  ahead  now, 
follow  up  the 
t  come  to  the 
I've  always 
labama  blind- 
miH  set  down 
;;  but  I  seem 
>night,  and  I 
^  signs  of  the 

newhat  accus- 
is  difficulty  in 
;.  When  the 
t  a  sliort  dis- 
11,  from  which 
tain  he  could 
!  silver.  The 
ig  in  advance 
the  glimmer- 

3  he  came  up, 
ild  be  far  out 
ion  all  my  life 
pinch  comes; 
and  see  what 

.nd  waited  for 
was  strangely 


TUB  SPKECH  OF  TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVE  99 

beautiful.    The  mighty  trees  amongst    ^hi«l^^^«y 
stood,  the  high  bank  from  which  they  looked  out 
over   the   river,  and  the  water,   that  went  by    hem 
quietly  and  peacefully  would  naturally  carry   their 
JhougL  far  from  the  war  and  bloodshed.     Indeed 
there  was  little  in  their  surroundings  to  remmd  them 
of  the  sad  scenes  through  which  they  had  passed,  and 
the  danger  in  which  they  then  were. 

They  had   not  long  to  wait,  however,  for  Josiah 
soon  returned,  and  said,  "I  know  where  I  am  now 
I've   been  here   hundreds   of  times.     I  ve   stood   on 
this  little  hill  and  watched  the  white  men  and  the 
Injuns   lK>th,  as   they  went  up   or  down   the  nver 
I've  seen  the  settlei.  push  those  rafts  of  theirs  up  the 
stream,  and  the  little  canoes  of  the  Injuns  float  hke 
leaves  with  the  current.     It  looks  as  peaceful  now  as 
it  ever  did,  but  I  shouldn't  be  surprised  xf  our  greates 
danger  came  before  we  got  across  it;   but  if  were 
once  on  the  other  side  we  can  snap  our  fingei.   at 
every  redskin  in  that  party.     Come  on  now,     added 
Josiah  quietly,  "we'll  go  down  this  little  lull  and 
perhaps  we'll  find  something  in  the  bay  down  there 
we  can  use  to  help  us  cross  over  the  nver. 

As  they  moved  on  down  the  hillside  they  suddenly 
.arae  to  a  place  where  the  bank  was  much  steeper, 
and  almost  before  they  were  aware  all  three  were 
sliding  down  ite  side  ;  but  the  surprise  which  came  to 
them  at  their  quickened  movements  was  a.s  nothmg 


if** 


r 


II  r 


:| 


I 


k 


100 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNO  BRAVES 


compared  with  that  which  was  theirs  when  they  arrived 
at  the  base  of  the  hill. 

The  gravel,  sliding  under  their  feet  and  rattling 
before  them,  the  efforts  they  made  to  stop  themselves, 
and  the  exclamations  they  uttered  as  they  slipped 
and  rolled  down  the  bank,  became  as  nothing  to  the 
yell  which  greeted  them  when  they  once  more  were 
enabled  to  stand  upon  their  feet.  As  unexpectedly  as 
if  they  had  dropped  from  the  skies,  they  had  slipped 
into  the  very  midst  of  a  party  of  Indians,  who  had 
Ijeen  camping  under  the  shelter  of  the  high  bank. 

There  were  a  dozen  or  more  of  these  who  leaped  to 
their  feet  at  the  sudden  appearance  of  our  friends, 
and  the  silence  of  the  night  was  broken  by  their 
whoops  and  yells. 

Almost  as  motionless  as  if  they  had  been  turned  to 
stone,  all  three  of  our  party  stood  and  waited  until 
the  Indians  surrounded  them,  and  but  a  few  moments 
had  passed  before  tlieir  hands  had  been  bound 
securely  behind  them,  and  their  feet  had  been  tied 
together,  and  they  were  placed  near  the  smouldering 
fire  as  captives  of  this  Indian  band.  This  fire  was 
now  rekindled,  and  in  the  light  of  its  flames  the  boys 
could  see  that  it  was  the  same  party  of  Indians  wliich 
had  passed  them  on  the  preceding  day,  and  of  whom 
Josiah  had  been  in  such  fear. 

Jerry  watched  the  Indians,  and  at  once  recognized 
Tecumseh's  young  braves  among  them.    Indeed,  one 


■aaiiBBDutueaJtti»Mgi 


I  <n»  <|W|iiii»w    ■ 


en  they  arrived 

it  and  rattling 
xjp  themselves, 
8  they  slipped 
nothing  to  the 
nee  more  were 
nexpectedly  as 
ey  had  slipped 
lians,  who  had 
high  bank, 
who  leaped  to 
»f  our  friends, 
■oken  by  their 

been  turned  to 
d  waited  until 
*  few  moments 
[  been  bound 
had  been  tied 
le  smouldering 
This  fire  was 
lames  the  boys 
Indians  wliich 
,  and  of  whom 

nee.  recognized 
.    Indeed,  one 


^\4S^ 


THE  SPEECH  OF  TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVE   101 

of  these  soon  took  his  stand  before  the  boys,  and  with 
many  a  flourish  of  his  tomahawk  began   to  taunt 
them.    He  declared  that  in  the  years  gone  by  he  had 
been  their  friend,  that  together  they  had  chased  the 
l,ear  and  hunted  the  wolf.     Those  days  were  all  pijst, 
now,  declared  young  Captain  Jim,  for  he  was  the 
speaker,  and  pale-face  and  redskin    should    never 
again  chisp  hands   in   token   of    friendship,   or  eat 
together    in    the    same    wigwam.     "You    kill    my 
people,"  continued  the  young  brave;  "you  die     AH 
clie     Many  a  scalp  shall  be  on  our  belts.      And  he 
pointed  proudly  to  more  than  one  trophy,  winch 
he  himself  had  taken.     "  I  am  a  man!      shouted 
Captain  Jim,  his  feelings  now  apparently  mastering 
him     "  The  pale-faces  have  robbed  us  of  our  homes. 
For  the  last  time  they  have  killed  our  warrioi«,  and 
they  never  shall  kill  again.     Every  pale-  ace  s  scalp 
shall  be  taken,  and  much  gold  shall  the  white  fathe.^ 
at  Pensacola  give  to  the  Indian  braves.     I  am  a  m.m  . 
I  am  Tecumseh's  young  brave.     These  also  are  Te- 
cumseb's  young  ^raves.    We  are  Creeks.    We  are  Red 
Sticks.     We  shall  send  the  white  men  on  their  way  to 
tlie  happy  hunting-ground.    You,  also  shall  go  tha^ 
way,  and  not  even  your  trail  shall  be  left  behind    o 
mark  the  pathway  by  which  you  have  gone.      With 
an  extra  leap  and  flourish  of  the  tomahawk,  and  a  yell 
that  almost  curdled  the  blood  of  the  listening  boys, 
'the  young  brave  turned  and  left  them. 


%, 


tot 


TECUMSEirS   VOUNQ   BRAVES 


1   '}' 


Had  Captsiin  Jim  turned  against  them  ?  He  had 
more  tlian  once  proved  himself  to  be  their  friend,  and 
the  hoys  were  at  a  loss  to  understand  the  meaning  of 
this  tirade.  They  rememlwred  how  he  had  been 
nui-sed  by  their  mother,  and  had  vowed  eternal  friend- 
ship in  return  for  their  care ;  and  they  also  remembered 
how  tenacious  every  Indian  was  in  holding  to  his 
friends,  and  cherishing  his  hatred  toward  his  enemies ; 
but  their  meditations  were  soon  interrupted  by  the 
council  which  had  l)een  quickly  called. 

The  warriors  took  their  seats  in  the  circle,  but  the 
young  braves  were  silent  now.  Warrior  after  warrior 
arose  and  gave  his  opinion,  and  Josiah,  after  listening 
uitently  for  a  time,  whispered  to  his  companions,  "  It's 
going  hard  with  us,  boys.  Your  young  braves  are  the 
woi-st  of  all.  You'll  believe,  now,  when  it's  too  late, 
that  no  Indian  in  the  world  is  to  be  trusted ;  but 
what  they'll  do,  they'll  do  soon."  And  Josiah  became 
silent  again,  as  all  three  of  the  prisonei-s  listened  to 
the  discussion  which  every  moment  became  more  and 
more  animated.  Even  the  guard  who  was  near  them 
became  more  attentive  to  the  words  that  were  spoken 
than  he  was  to  the  prisoners  under  his  care. 

It  was  still  dark,  and  as  Josiah  Fletcher  rolled  over 
on  the  ground  he  came  close  to  the  side  of  Tom,  and 
a  whisper  in  his  ear  informed  him  of  the  hunter's 
intention,  and  it  was  not  long  before  he  bad  gnawed 
all  the  thongs  of  deer-hide  with  which  Tom's  feet 


,*;^'*- 


m?  He  had 
ir  friend,  and 
e  meaning  of 
16  liad  been 
iternal  friend- 
)  remembered 
ilding  to  his 
L  his  enemies ; 
upted  by  the 

jircle,  but  the 
■  after  warrior 
ifter  listening 
panions,  "  It's 
braves  are  the 
it's  too  kite, 
trusted ;  but 
Josiah  became 
jis  listened  to 
ime  more  and 
v^as  near  them 
;  were  spoken 
ire. 

ler  rolled  over 

of  Tom,  and 

the  hunter's 

!  had  gnawed 

h  Tom's  feet 


THE  8PEECH  OF  TKCUMSEH'S  YOUNO  BRWE  103 
were  bound.  The  hunter's  teeth  were  strong,  and  as 
Zr  knives  had  been  taken  from  them,  he  could  ^se 
his  jaws  to  a  good  advantage.  But  Tom  found  ha 
;il!andswereUfree,asthetoughthongs^h.^^^^^ 
they  were  tied  were  stronger,  and  Jos.ah  could  n  ake 
but  little  impression  upon  them,  with  all  1"^  effor^. 

The  council  had  not  yet  broken  up,  a  though  ^ 
was  evident  that  it  was  near  its  close,  and  ma  few 
minutes  the  warrior,  arose  and  departed.  Captom 
L  returned  to  the  place  before  the  prisoners  which 
blhad  occupied,  and  began  to  harangue  them  again 
in  louder  tones  than  before. 

ill  a  ..an !  "  shouted  Tec«n,.eh'»  young  bmve^ 
..Not  a  pale-faced  dog  shall  he  left  ahve.  Ever, 
^Hte  nl  shall  lose  his  scalp,  and  every  Indian 
ZL  the  gold  penny  from  the  »hite  fathers  at 
Prila.  is  soon  as  the  sunlight  comes,  -d  you 
stall  have  light  enough  to  sho»  you  your  ^y,  ^v^^ 
one  of  you  shall  be  sent  to  the  land  of  the  Great 
Spirit."     And  he  turned  and  left  them. 

..I  don't  know  what  they're   waitmg  for,     said 

.Tosiah     "If  they're  going  to  bum  us  at  the  stoke, 

Htond  us  up  for  a  mark  for  their  knives  »    tern. 

hawks,  it  may  he  that  they  want  to  see  a  htt  e  better 

ll^W  can  now,  hut  it's  more'n  iikely  that  they 

are  waiting  for  some  otheis  to  jou.  them.     It  looks 

nrettv  dark  for  us,  but  we  won't  give  up,  hoys.    Its 

^^i  ^  I  be  morning  pretty  s«.n,  and  it  may  he  m 


is 


I 


104 


TECUMSEH'S   YOUNG  BRAVES 


more  senses  than  one  that  it's  always  the  darkest 
just  heioTo  the  day.  Tom's  got  his  feet  free,  and 
it  may  l)e  that  he  can  help  us  out  pretty  soon,  if  we 
can  only  get  the  attention  of  the  guard  on  something 
else.  Hello!"  he  added,  "it's  one  of  Tecumseh's 
young  braves  who  is  going  to  be  our  guard  now." 

Captain  Jim  returned  and  took  the  place  of  the 
Indian  who  had  not  left  them  since  their  capture. 
He  had  nothing  to  say  to  the  boys  now,  and  a  half- 
hour  passed  before  they  spoke  to  him. 

Tom  had  little  hope  that  he  could  appeal  to  him 
successfully,  and  yet  he  reviewed  the  experiences 
they  had  had  together.  He  called  to  the  mind  of  the 
young  Indian  the  long  illness  he  had  had,  and  the 
tender  care  he  had  received  at  his  hands  in  his 
father's  house.  He  spoke  of  the  fishing  and  hunting 
they  had  done  together,  and  the  lasting  friendship 
they  often  had  vowed  for  each  other. 

Captain  Jim  made  no  reply,  and  they  were  the 
more  surprised  when,  a  few  minutes  later,  glancing 
quickly  in  the  direction  of  the  camp  to  see  that  he 
was  not  observed,  he  took  a  knife  and  cut  the  thongs 
that  bound  the  prisonei-s,  and  then  resumed  his  posi- 
tion as  guard. 

It  was  some  time  before  the  prisoners  could  over- 
come the  numbness  in  their  hands  and  feet,  but,  at 
last,  with  a  sudden  start  they  arose,  and  running 
swiftly  to  the  river,  plunged  into  the  water. 


T       \ 


!8 

1  the  darkest 
feet  free,  and 
;ty  soon,  if  we 
on  something 
f  Tecuniseh's 
guard  now." 

place  of  the 
their  capture. 
w,  and  a  half- 
appeal  to  him 
le  experiences 
le  mind  of  the 

had,  and  the 

hands  in  his 

V  and  hunting 

ing  friendship 

they  were  the 
later,  glancing 
to  see  that  he 
cut  the  thongs 
limed  his  posi- 

srs  could  over- 
id  feet,  but,  at 
,  and  running 
!  water. 


THE  SPEECH  OK  TKCUMSF.nS  VO.INO  BRAVF.  105 

,takuc.»  they  we™  not  w.U  anned,  and  none  took 
""m  Ix'^nuing  of  their  ccape  had  been  «aeee»Wly 

•  possible  out  into  the  river. 


i»llfcili.iinilifci1|i'rMftili'"rir 


III,.  .1  t,i     .1 1  I.I  ■■,   «   iiii  tiYiigt 


•  4 

100  TKCUMSKirS   YOUNU    HHAVKS 


CIIAPTKU    XI 


•  •  IN  THE   ALABAMA 

TIIIE  shouting  wliioh  had  occurred  at  tlio  i)hinge 
■*■  of  the  escaping  lu-isoneis  into  the  water  was 
followed  by  a  silence  which  each  felt  to  Ix)  ominous. 
The  three  men  were  swinmiing  rapidly  and  (piietly, 
endeavoring  to  keep  together. 

*'  I  don't  think  they  had  any  canoes,"  said  Josiah, 
"and  yet  it's  not  likely  that  they  would  have  been 
where  they  were  without  something  of  the  kind  being 
within  hailing  distance.  So  I  presume  they'll  get 
some  before  we're  very  far  on  our  way." 

But  there  wiw  no  disposition  to  talk  very  much, 
swimming  jis  they  were  in  the  river,  which  now  wiis 
cold,  and  whose  waters  thoroughly  chilled  them.  It 
was  late  for  alligatora,  and  they  had  no  fear  of 
danger  from  that  source.  They  swam  on  with  all 
the  speed  the^-^  could  make  for  several  minutes 
more,  and  then  a»  they  relaxed  their  efforts  for  a 
moment,  Josiah  said,  "  Perhaps  they  have  gone  up 
the  stream  for  the  canoes.  I  don't  like  this  silence. 
I'm  sure    they    won't  give  up  the  chase  without 


mm 


'   Hi'  niOHnwo 


IN  TlIK   ALABAMA 


107 


^KS 


at  t)io  i)Iunge 
he  water  was 
to  Ix)  ominous, 
y  and  (|uietly, 

,"  said  Josiah, 
uld  have  been 
the  kind  being 
lie    th.ey'U  get 

Ik  very  much, 
'hich  now  was 
lied  them.  It 
id  no  fear  of 
m  on  with  all 
veral  minutes 
r  efforts  for  a 
have  gone  up 
:e  this  silence, 
chase  without 


nuiking  something  of  an  effort  to  Imd  uh.       h. 
U.li.ve  they're  coming  now,"  he  added,  m  he  saw  a 
dark  object  sweeping  mpidly  down  the  river. 

All  of  the  escaping  men  were  good  swimmew,  and 
had  had  abundance  of  practice  which  stood  them  in 
good  stead  in  this  lu.ur  of  need,  and  again  they  re- 
doubled their  efforts  and  swam  on  and  on,  without 
halting  for  a  rest.  The  river  w>is  wide  here,  and  t,> 
the  lK.ys  it  seemed  m  if  they  never  would  gain  a 
sight  of  the  further  shore  in  the  darkness. 

They  stopped  for  a  moment  to  consider  the  ques- 
tion whether  they  should  keep  on  in  the  directum  in 
which  they  were  going  and  cross  to  the  fui-ther  shore, 
or  whether  when  they  had  reached  the  middle  of  the 
river  they  should  swim  with  the  current  and  go  down 
the  stream.     The  latter  coui-se  was  chosen,  and  turn- 
ing  upon  their  backs  they  floated  on  the  slow-movmg 
water  for  several    minutes ;  but  the   canoe,    which 
Josiah   felt  certain  he  had  seen,  they  all  could  see 
now,  and  their  main  effort  was  to  keep  themselves 
concealed  and  escape  the  notice  of  ite  occupants 

They  swam  now  with  their  faces  just  above  the 
water,  and  were  nearer  the  shore  than  they  had 
l,een.  Indeed,  they  could  see  the  bushes  that  lined 
the  banks,  but  they  could  also  hear  the  paddles 
which  the  Indians  were  using  in  the  oncoming  canoe. 
Swiftly  and  silently  these  made  their  way  down  the 
stream,  and  the  boys  were  soon  satisRed  that  there 


41 


iJlriiin,mn»ir 


■  I  I    y 


. 


108 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNO   nTlAVES 


11 


wero  but  two  of  thorn  in  [mfsuit;  Imt  in  liiich  canoe 
thoie  wiiH  a  torch,  and  iw  tho  fiiwi  ono  approached 
tluMn,  they  all  silently  «ank  into  the  water  and  re- 
mained beneath  it  as  lonj?  as  they  (M)nld  hold  their 
breath.  Rising  again  to  the  surfa(!e  they  saw  that 
tlio  first  canoe  had  passed  them,  Imt  the  light  of  the 
flaming  torch  in  tho  second  also  showed  that  the  other 
wiw  dose  by. 

Again  they  sank  into  the  water,  but  this  time  they 
were  unable  to  remain  iw  long  lus  they  had  before. 
Indeed,  their  efforts  had  well-nigh  used  all  the 
strength  they  had,  and  now,  at  the  time  when  there 
wan  tho  greatest  cull  for  it,  they  all  felt  it  would  bo 
lacking. 

As  Tom  rose  to  tho  surfaco  of  the  river  the  light 
of  a  torch  fell  full  on  his  face.  His  fti-st  thought  wivs 
that  everything  was  lost  now,  and  that  all  three  of 
them  wero  certain  to  be  discovered.  In  the  canoe  he 
could  see  there  wero  three  Indians,  two  of  whom  were 
paddling,  and  one  holding  a  gun  and  also  gi-asping 
the  torch.  Tom  never  could  understand  how  it  was 
that  when  the  light  fell  upon  his  face  there  had  been 
no  call  in  the  canoe ;  but  in  a  few  monients  it  had 
passed,  and  all  three  of  the  prisoners  were  left  in  the 
darkness  that  seemed  to  be  greater  than  before  the 
glare  of  the  torch  had  fallen  on  tho  water. 

"  Wo  must  make  for  the  shore  now  as  fast  as  we 
can,"  said  Josiah ;  but  he  spoke  in  a  labored  manner, 


i-fSSJUH'jsM'mmmsmmM 


mgmmm 


E8 

ill  inich  canoo 
\w  iipiH'oivcliud 
water  iiiul  re- 
•iilfl  hol<l  tlioir 
tlioy  saw  that 
111'  lij^lit  of  till) 

I  that  the  other 

tills  time  they 
ey  had  before, 
used  all  the 
nu!  when  there 
olt  it  would  be 

river  the  light 
•st  thought  wa« 
lat  all  three  of 

II  the  canoe  he 

0  of  whom  were 

1  also  gi-asping 
ind  how  it  was 
there  had  been 
noments  it  had 
were  left  in  the 
ihan  before  the 

water. 

V  as  fast  as  we 
labored  manner, 


IN   THK   ALABAMA 


lOD 


and  evidently  hud  not  much  strength  left.  1  he  ch.U 
of  the  water  and  the  U,.),>r  distanee  they  had  eomo 
were  telling  mnv  severely  upon  him  than  upon  either 
of  his  younger  companions. 

u  If  we  ean  onee  get  ashore,"  said  Jerry,  "  we  can 
hide  in  those  bushes,  I'm  sure ;  but  those  canoes  are 
coming  back  again,  and  one  of  them  i^^''^^^^, 
along  this  shore,  and  the  other  is  going  along  by  the 

further  bank."  . 

The  three  were  together  now,  and  were  uncertain 
in  which  direction  to  go  or  what  movement  to  make. 
They  were  swimming  slowly  and  quietly,  and  were  in 
constant  fear  of  the  approaching  canoe,  but  they  were 
rejoiced  when  they  saw  that  this  was  pivssing  between 
them  and  the  bank.  Kemaining  as  silent  as  poHsible 
in  the  water,  where  they  were,  they  soon  found  that 
they  had  again  escaped  the  notice  of  their  pun^uers, 
and  this  time  with  renewed  hope  they  started  for 

the  shore.  ,         .  ,   i 

Josiah  was  almost  exhausted  when  they  crawled 
out  of  the  water  and  up  on  the  bank,  quickly  conceal- 
ing themselves  behind  the  bushes.  It  wa^  necessary 
for  them  to  rest  awhile,  and  they  all  were  so  chilled 
now  by  their  wet  clothing,  and  worn  by  the  exertions 
which  they  had  undergone,  that  the  rest  w.w  accept, 
able  to  them  all  in  spite  of  it«  ^^^^"'^^^'^'^'''^  ^ 
As  soon  as  Josiah  had  recovered  a  httle  from  his 
weakness,  they  all  three  started  inland  as  rapidly  as 


i 


i^^ 


,<m  -^i-.jwi.  iipiifn 


iHT^'i^   I    ill   !.%'! 'ilti^^ffglj 


'  i  I  i 


no 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


they  could  go.  Tliey  made  their  way  through  the 
bushes  and  over  the  fallen  logs,  often  tripping  over 
some  U-aiHng  vine,  and  frequently  stepping  into  some 
marshy  spot  that  threw  them  forward  on  their  faces 
and  covered  them  with  mud ;  but  they  heeded  none  of 
these  things,  so  eager  wore  they  to  put  as  great  a  dis- 
tance as  possible  between  them  and  the  river,  for  they 
had  concluded  that  the  Indians  would  make  a  search 
only  on  the  water,  and  that  none  of  them  had  landed 
on  their  side  of  the  river. 

At  last  they  thought  they  had  gone  far  enough  so 
that  it  would  be  safe  for  them  to  start  a  fire,  which 
they  all  were  eager  to  do,  so  thoroughly  chilled  and 
exhausted  was  each  one.  Josiah  had  a  flint,  and  with 
this  he  soon  was  enabled  to  gain  a  spark  that  set  fire 
to  the  dry  leaves  and  branches  they  collected,  and  all 
three  were  quickly  warming  themselves  by  the  flames. 

"  We'd  better  wait  here  until  morning,"  said  Josiah, 
"  or,  at  least,  until  it's  light  enough  for  us  to  see  our 
way,  for  we'll  make  better  speed  and  save  enough  of 
our  strength  to  more  than  make  up  for  our  loss  of 
time." 

It  was  scarcely  daylight  when  they  prepared  to  start 
on  again,  without  any  breakfast  and  with  no  gun  in 
the  party.  Although  they  were  almost  worn  out  by 
their  exertions,  they  had  no  thought  of  giving  up  their 
efforts  to  make  their  way  to  Fort  Madison. 

The  day  was  chilly,  and  as  their  clothing  was  not 


''I'f '  1^  "ti'^liLyifi  '* 


BC3B*^B^!^-4 


lAVES 

way  through  the 
ten  tripping  over 
tepping  into  some 
ird  on  their  faces 
3y  heeded  none  of 
put  as  great  a  dis- 
the  river,  for  tliey 
dd  make  a  search 
them  had  landed 

me  far  enough  so 
tart  a  fire,  which 
ighly  chilled  and 
i  a  flint,  and  with 
ipark  that  set  fire 
collected,  and  all 
ves  by  the  flames, 
ing,"  said  Josiah, 
for  us  to  see  our 
i  save  enough  of 
3  for  our  loss  of 

prepared  to  start 
with  no  gun  in 
lost  worn  out  by 
)f  giving  up  their 
dlson. 
clothing  was  not 


IN   THE   ALABAMA 


111 


yet  thoroughly  dry,  they  felt  the  dampness  and  the 
cold  keenly ;  but  resolutely  they  went  on,  stopping  only 
for  an  occasional  rest,  and  when,  at  last,  the  little 
stockade  of  Fort  Madison  rose  before  them,  it  was  a 
welcome  sight  to  them  all. 

A  night's  rest,  and  the  warm  food  which  was  given 

them  the  next  day,  restored  all  the  members  of  our 

.party  to  their  former  strength  and  spirits,  and  they 

curiously  began  to  examine  the  structure  which  was 

known  as  Foit  Madison. 

Captain  Sam  Dale  had  been  in  command  here  for 
some  time,  while  he  was  recovering  from  the  wound 
which  he  received  in  a  recent  engagement.    He  gave 
our  boys  a  hearty  welcome,  and  they  were  interested 
observers  of  the  man.  and  of  his  methods  of  dealing 
with  his  followers.    He  liked  to  boast  of  his  Irish 
descent,  although  he  himself  was  born  in  Rockbridge 
County,  Virginia,  and  was  at  this  time  about  forty- 
one  yeare  old.     His  father  and  mother  had  died  when 
he  was  a  boy,  leaving  him  as  the  oldest  of  eight  chil- 
dren, for  whom  he  had  not  ceased  to  care,  to  the  best 
of  his  ability,  through  all  these  years. 

Away  back  in  Washington's  administration  he  had 
been  active  in  holding  the  Creeks  in  check,  and  while 
a  young  man  he  was  celebrated  as  an  Indian  fighter. 
Later  he  became  a  trader  among  the  Creeks,  and  on 
his  journeys  he  frequently  acted  as  a  guide  to  parties 
of  emigrants  who  v/ere  entering  into  the  Mississippi 


,-v  [' 


■nil  I'WiK .iiw |ii[i ,  I  ii;i)'iiiiiii.ii  .ii'iui» '(WXv 


112 


TECUMSEirS   YOUNG  BRAVES 


il;;!^ 


territory.  The  uprising  of  the  Creeks  in  the  War  of 
1812  had  again  called  him  into  the  field,  and  among 
all  the  fighters  there  was  none  more  bold  or  successful 
than  he. 

The  return  of  Colonel  Carson  to  Fort  Madison  en- 
abled Captain  Sam  Dale  to  take  up  the  work  of  driving 
the  smaller  bands  of  savages  from  the  frontier,  a  work 
in  which  he  had  been  engaged  before,  and  in  which  he 
greatly  delighted. 

About  thirty  of  the  Mississippi  men  under  Lieu- 
tenant Montgomery  and  about  forty  more  from  the 
southern  part  of  Alabama,  among  whom  were  Tom 
and  Jerry  and  their  friend  Josiah,  went  with  him  on 
the  first  expedition  he  made. 

They  started  from  the  camp  early  one  morning  and 
marched  south-easterly  to  the  river,  to  a  place  where 
there  was  a  ferry  and  where  they  knew  that  a  friendly 
negro  named  Caesar  had  two  canoes  concealed. 
Csesar  was  found  without  any  difficulty,  and  in  the 
two  canoes  which  he  furnished  the  entire  party  crossed 
the  river,  and  although  their  clothing  was  tliin,  and 
they  were  poorly  equipped  for  enduring  the  cool 
weather,  they  marched  on  and  concealed  themselves 
for  a  night  in  the  cane-brake.  At  daybreak  they 
started  up  the  river,  five  picked  men  being  in  each 
canoe,  keeping  abreast  of  the  party  which  marched 
on  the  shore. 

They  had  gone  but  a  short  distance  before  they  saw 


OiB 


lAVES 

sks  in  the  War  of 

field,  and  among 

bold  or  successful 

Fort  Madison  en- 
le  work  of  driving 
le  frontier,  a  work 
3,  and  in  which  he 

men  under  Lieu- 
y  more  from  the 
whom  were  Tom 
vent  with  him  on 

one  morning  and 
to  a  place  where 
3W  that  a  friendly 
lanoes  concealed, 
culty,  and  in  the 
J  tire  party  crossed 
ng  was  thin,  and 
iduring  the  cool 
sealed  themselves 
t  daybreak  they 
en  being  in  each 
'  which  marched 

3  before  they  saw 


■■W..I-.  l..■-ll,»'■l^)y^l.^ll■^| 


IN  THE  ALABAMA 


113 


on  the  river  some  Indians  in  canoes  coming  as  if  to 

meet  them. 

"  There  are  others  on  the  shore,  captsiin,"  called 
out  Josiah,  who  had  had  a  gUmi^e  of  several  dusky 
forms  moving  alwut  in  the  bnike. 

It  wa.s  a  delight  to  the  boys  to  see  the  spirit  of  this 
brave  Captain  Sam  Dale  in  the  moment  of  danger. 
Perhaps  the  time  he  had  been  seeking  for  had  come, 
and  they  were  about  to  have  such  a  skirmish  as  would 
satisfy  even   this   warlike   captain   himself ;  but  our 
boys  had  had  so  little  experience  in  Indian  warfare, 
and  their  hearts  were  still  so  filled  with  the  memory  of 
the  terrible  mjissacre  which  had  occurred  at  Fort  Mims, 
that  it  was  with  a  good  deal  of  fear  and  trembling  they 
made  ready  to  enter  into  the  engagement  with  these 
dusky  foes.     They  tried  to  conceal  their  feelings  as 
best  they  could,  and  soon  took  their  places  in  the  ranks 
of  those  who  were  ordered  to  advance  and  make   a 
charge  against  these  prowling  Indians. 


I 


'I. 


0 


m  Ml 


114 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


CHAPTER  XII 


SAM  dale's  encounter  |. 

THERE  proved  to  be  but  a  small  body  of  Indians 
in  the  brake,  and  these  did  not  wait  for  an  as- 
sault, for  after  a  very  brief  skirmish  they  all  fled  up 
the  stream  in  their  canoes,  plying  their  paddles  so 
rapidly  that  soon  they  were  out  of  sight.  The  cour- 
age of  the  boys  returned  somewhat  after  this  exhi- 
bition of  bravery,  or  rather  lack  of  bravery,  displayed 
by  a  foe  of  whose  power  they  had  come  to  entertain 
very  high  opinions  since  the  terrible  massacre  at 
Fort  Mims. 

Captain  Dale  then  divided  liis  followers  into  two 
divisions,  and  sent  some  across  the  river  to  the  eastern 
side,  where  they  followed  the  well-beaten  trail,  and  the 
others,  among  whom  were  our  boys  and  their  hunter 
friend,  journeyed  on  by  the  western  side. 

About  half-past  ten  they  arrived  at  Randon's  Land- 
ing. Here  a  halt  was  called,  as  many  signs  of  the 
presence  of  Indians  were  seen.  Indeed,  while  they 
were  deliberating,  and  before  the  scouts  they  had 
sent  out  returned,  they  saw  a  large  canoe  come 
floating  down  the  river. 


iMiMli 


^VES 


SAM  DALE'S  ENCOUNTER 


115 


'ER  -    i 

body  of  Indians 
)t  wait  for  an  as- 
i  they  all  fled  up 

their  paddles  so 
light.  The  cour- 
,  after  this  exhi- 
travery,  displayed 
ome  to  entertain 
ible  ma^isapre  at 

allowers  into  two 
i^er  to  the  eastern 
aten  ti'ail,  and  the 

and  their  hunter 

side. 

t  Randon's  Land- 

lany  signs  of  the 

ideed,  while  they 

scouts  they  had 
irge  canoe  come 


Th«  canoe  had  been  dug  out  of  almgeeypre».tree 
It^Wween  thi-ty  and  forty  feet  long,  and  at  le.«t 
fniir  fppt  deep  and  three  feet  abeam. 

down  the   Vive,,"   .aid   Jo»iah,  as  he  watched  the 
strange-looking  cmft  approach.  __  ^^^_ 

"It's  not  carrying  corn  now,    iMUl  one 

diera  near  him.  ..,      ^j 

"No,  tl.fs  .0,"   said  Jos.ah  quckly       ^'^ 

another  kind  of  cargo  entu-ely.    Ju«t  looR 
1  1  •         Ur^w  rrnnv  of  them  are  there  r 

-^tCcon^d^rvenonhoard^-saidtheso^i^. 

..„„d  I  never  saw  snch  hideously  pamted  Indu™ 
""^rsprof tcold,  the  Indians  were  nearly  nakei 

they  had  not  so  far  out— d  them.       ^^^  ^^. 

.rZ?^^::d^;:fah'"'ro:der,ifth.cap...wui 

-rdf:rjtiry% 
-?scrd-:rntrpr:rthe 

X^rS*  :h::  ttrived  at  the  spot,  duickly 
d,^;^7ne  of  'the  Indians  with  his  gu.  an  cxamp  e 
whW>  Josiah  Fletcher  speedily  followed.    The 


116 


TECUMSEH'S   YOUNG  BRAVES 


Indians,  surprised  at  the  sudden  attack,  quickly  began 
to  back  the  great  canoe  out  into  tlie  river,  and  the 
boys  saw  that  there  were  three  swimming  on  the  side 
which  was  not  exposed  to  the  bullets,  and  all  the 
othera  were  lying  flat  on  the  l)ottom. 

It  was  a  stirring  scene  that  followed,  and  one  which 
displayed  the  qualities  of  the  hardy  Sam  Dale  to  their 
best  advantage.  One  of  the  Indian  warriors,  thinking 
when  they  had  gone  out  some  distance  into  the  river 
that  they  must  he  safe  now,  raised  his  head  and 
shouted  for  Weatherford.  This  was  the  firat  intima- 
tion our  party  had  had  that  this  noted  chief  was  in 
that  neighborhood,  and  his  well-known  name  caused 
some  of  them  to  stop  for  a  moment ;  but  Captain  Dale 
was  undaunted  by  the  call,  and  once  more  raising  his 
gun  to  his  shoulder  sent  a  bullet  into  the  brain  of  the 
Indian  who  had  shouted. 

He  had  been  one  of  the  three  who  had  been  guid- 
ing the  canoe,  and  now  deprived  of  his  aid,  the  un- 
gainly craft  turned  broadside  to  the  current,  and 
slowly  began  to  float  down  the  stream.  The  captain 
quickly  ordered  six  of  the  men  who  were  on  the 
eastern  bank  to  bring  the  canoes,  as  he  had  determined 
to  use  them  in  attacking  the  Indians  in  their  huge 
craft. 

As  the  little  party  approached  the  larger  canoe, 
they  were  unsuspicious  of  what  it  contained,  but  as 
one  of  them  looked  over  the  edge  he  screamed  as 


•^ll '!«';■  t-^ii 


:!<artWK)^ffw'awe««igg^'j 


SAM  DALE'S  ENCOUNTER 


117 


uickly  began 

rer,  and  the 

f  on  the  side 

and  all  the 

id  one  which 
Dale  to  their 
ors,  thinking 
ito  the  river 
lis  head  and 

first  intima- 
ehief  was  in 
name  caused 
2)aptain  Dale 
re  raising  his 

brain  of  the 

I  been  guid- 
aid,  the  un- 
3urrent,  and 
The  captain 
were  on  the 
i  determined 
1  their  huge 

arger  canoe, 

lined,  but  as 

screamed  as 


though  in  great  fear:   " Live  Indians !   Backwater, 

l)ovs ;  back  water." 

His  companions  needed  no  further  encouragemen, 

and,  as  fast  as  they  could,  sent  their  canoes  Ijvck 
towards  the  place  from  which  they  had  come  T  us 
exhibition  of  cowardice  was  almost  too  much  for  the 
ouick-tempered  captain,  but,  without  indulging  m 
any  of  the  sharp  words  which  he  was  very  prone  to 
use,  he  shouted  for  Caesar  to  bring  one  of  the  two 
little  canoes  which  he  had  furnished  for  them  to  use 

in  crossing  the  river.  ,    r  u. 

"The  captain's  getting  into  it  and  going  to  fight 
those  men  single-handed,"  said  J osiah  excitedly. 
« It's  risky.     It's  a  risky  piece  of  business. 

"No,  he's  not  going  alone,"  said  Tom,  who  was  fol- 
lowing the  movements  with  even  greater  interest  than 
any  of  the  othera.    "  There  are  two  other  men  gomg 

with  him."  a    -t-u  o^ri 

"There's  Jeremiah  Austill  and  James  Smith,  and 
I'm  going  too,"  shouted  Josiah.  He  started  to  run 
towards  the  bank,  but  the  light  little  craft  would 
hold  no  more,  and  to  Josiah's  mortification  the  party 
of  tliree  who  were  in  the  canoe  with  Caesar  started 

without  him  towards  the  boat  of  the  Indians. 

C^sar  paddled  until  he  had  brought  them  within 

foriiv  yards  of  their  enemies,  when  Dale  and  his  two 

companions  rose  to  pour  a  volley  into  the  g^at  canoe ; 

but  all  their  guns  missed  fire,  for  they  had  fallen  into 


'^;?;^i^";ti^--;-=' 


-7 — :775S?9BSBJBHflS^W" 


jfrm'  '".I ' 


'BTW"  ^"1,-1^  '*',W 


r't' 


4, 


118 


TErUMSEII'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


the  water  and  the  priming  liad  Iwen  spoiled.  It  was 
but  a  few  momenta  iKjfore  the  two  canoes  were  rfide  by 
side,  the  little  one  appearing  much  smaller  in  its  con- 
trast with  the  huge  and  awkward-appearing  corn-craft 
in  which  the  Indians  were. 

In  tones  which  could  easily  be  heard  upon  the 
shore,  Sam  Dale  shouted  for  Caesar  to  hold  the  two 
canoes  together,  and  as  his  own  gun  had  missed 
fire,  he  started  to  use  it  as  a  club,  and  placing  one 
foot  in  his  own  canoe  and  the  other  in  that  of  the 
enemy  he  commenced  a  furious  contest.  His  com- 
panions now  joined  in  the  engagement,  also  clubbing 
with  their  muskets,  and  several  of  the  Indians  were 
brained  by  the  infuriated  men;  but  the  current  of  the 
river  was  here  very  strong,  and  in  spite  of  his  efforts, 
Ciesar  could  not  hold  the  boats  together,  and  at  last 
with  a  despairing  cry  he  let  go  his  hold  and  the  two 
canoes  drifted  apart. 

But  Captain  Sam  Dale  had  been  left  alone  in  the 
canoe  of  the  savages.  One  of  the  Indians  was  lying 
in  the  stern  wounded  so  that  he  could  not  rise,  and 
four  others  unharmed,  and  fierce  and  strong,  faced  him 
as  he  stood  in  the  middle  of  the  great  canoe.  Two  of 
the  warriors  were  lying  dead  at  his  feet.  At  the 
very  moment  when  Dale  had  taken  his  stand,  the 
Indian  nearest  to  him  raised  his  tomahawk,  and  di- 
rected a  terrible  blow  at  the  head  of  the  reckless  but 
brave  captain ;  but  panying  tliis  with  the  barrel  of 


•d.  It  was 
fere  rfide  by 
•  in  its  con- 
g  corn-craft 

1  upon  the 
)ld  the  two 
had  missed 
placing  one 
that  of  the 
His  com- 
so  clubbing 
idians  were 
irrent  of  the 
:  his  efforts, 
and  at  last 
i,nd  the  two 

alone  in  the 
8  was  lying 
not  rise,  and 
ig,  faced  him 
oe.  Two  of 
et.  At  the 
)  stand,  the 
iwk,  and  di- 
reckless  but 
he  barrel  of 


( 


I 


II,.  .Irovf  liis  l)iiy.)mi  int.)  Ilif  liulian's  linirt." 


%;■ 


SAM   DALE'S   KNCOUNTER 


119 


his   gun,  with   a  movement  of   iiu'icdihlo  HwiftiumH 
lie  (hove  hiH  Iniyonet  into  the  Indian'H  heart. 

The  men  who  were  on  Hhoro  watdied  this  contest 
with  brcatliUwH  interest,  incapabU)  of  rendering'  any 
iisHiHtanco,  and  afmid  to  shoot  for  fear  of  l.itti.ig  their 
companion,  wiuwo  movements  were  ho  rapid  that  they 
were  almost  unable  to  follow  them.     They  saw  anotlu^r 
Indian  instantly  spring  forward  when  his  companion 
fell,  and  a  groan  went  up   from  the  watching  men, 
who  were  afraid  that  Sam   Dale  would  not  Ik;  able  to 
recover  himself  in  time  to  meet  this  new  onset;  but 
Jeremiah  Austill,  although  he  was  in  the  other  carioe, 
had  seen  this  movement,  and  bringing  his  own  gun  to 
his  shouhler,  which  this  time  did  not  .uiss  fire,  sent  a 
.  bullet  into  the  Indian's  heart,  and  ht-  Veil  in  the  Iwttom 

of  the  canoe. 

The  third  Indian  then  started  lor  the  undaunted 
Dale,  with  his  tomahawk,  but  quick  as  he  was  the 
captain  v..-,  quicker,  and  again  his  bayonet  was 
driven  into  an  Indian  heart.  Only  one  Indian  was  left 
now,  and  he  Wius  a  famous  wrestler.  He  had  a  pow- 
erful frame,  and  before  this  time  had  met  Sam  Dale 
and  had  many  a  friendly  bout  witli  him. 

As  the  Indian  arose  and  his  keen  glance  met  that 
of  his  foe,  he  shook  himself,  and  giving  a  war-whoop 
that  could  have  been  heard  for  a  long  distance, 
shouted,  "  Big  Sam,  I  am  a  man !  I  am  a  man  I  I  am 
coming!    Come  on!"    And  once  more  giving  a  tenific 


120 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


yell  he  bounded  over  his  companions,  lying  dead  in 
the  bottom  of  the  canoe,  and  with  all  his  strength 
directed  a  furious  blow  at  Dale's  head  witli  his  rifle. 

The  captain  tried  to  dodge  it,  but  quick  as  he  waa 
he  was  only  partially  able  to  ward  it  off.  The 
stock  of  the  gun  fell  upon  his  shoulder  and  dislo- 
cated it.  This,  however,  the  captain  did  not  realize 
until  afterwards,  for  at  that  very  moment,  again  he 
sent  his  fatal  bayonet  into  the  body  of  the  Indian. 

The  Indian,  who  writhed  and  twisted  as  he  tried  to 
escape,  shouted  in  tones  which  could  be  heard  upon  the 
bank,  "  Tarchachee  is  a  man !   He  is  not  afraid  to  die ! " 

But  even  as  he  spoke  he  fell  backward,  and  a  shout 
of  triumph  rose  from  all  the  watchers  as  they  thought 
the  captain  had  won  the  victory  over  all  four  of  his 
opponents ;  but  the  wounded  Indian  who  had  been 
lying  in  the  stern  of  the  canoe  had  recovered  sufficiently 
now  to  try  to  use  his  gun  which  for  several  minutes  he 
had  been  continually  snapping,  as  he  tried  to  shoot  the 
brave  man  whom  he  could  not  reach.  He  was  the  only 
one  left  alive  now  in  the  canoe  beside  Sam  Dale,  who, 
worn  as  he  was,  quickly  turned  his  attention  to  the 
living  Indian. 

^  "  I  am  a  warrior !  I  am  a  warrior  1  "  shouted  the 
wounded  man,  who  realized  the  disadvantage  at 
which  he  was,  and  the  helplessness  of  any  contest  with 
the  infuriated  white  man.  "  I  am  a  warrior ! "  he 
repeated,  as  if  it  were  his  death  song.  "I  am  a  war- 
rior 1  I  am  not  afraid  to  die  1 " 


lL^ij,iii^ik^m'fii  'ii^J^iti,^ 


SAM  DALES  ENCOUNTER 


181 


ing  dead  in 
lis  strength 
,h  his  rifle. 
k  as  he  waa 
,  off.  The 
r  and  dislo- 

not  realize 
at,  again  he 
3  Indian. 
I  he  tried  to 
ard  upon  the 
raid  to  die ! " 
,  and  a  shout 
hey  thouglit 

four  of  his 
lo  had  heen 
1  sufficiently 
1  minutes  he 
[  to  shoot  the 
was  the  only 
n  Dale,  who, 
Qtion  to  the 

shouted  the 
3  vantage  at 
contest  with 
warrior ! "  he 
I  am  a  war- 


Tt  was  well  for  him  that  he  had  no  fear  of  that  event 
It  was  wei  ^^^^  j^^^^  ^^^g  ^ore 

r  TnS  WonTand  driving  it  through  the 
t7  oUhe  Indian  pinned  him  to  the  bottomof  the 

^"'^     1 1  rwardsfwhen  he  w.^s  telling  the  story  of 
canoe.    Atterwa     ,  ^^^  ^^^.^^  ^^^^ 

his  struggle  and  ^P^;^''";'^^  j  j^n^^^d  his  four 

he  had  slain,  he  said  laconically,  ^  ne  lo 

all.  dazed  af.r  the  ^-g'^J^.^^t  t'^^'  ^ 

-"  "ro;r™rwro!:nrZiug  down .,  *» 

"^^te  t'^f  tt Ital'len,  had  not  been  .o.  e«^ 

,        The  noted  haU-breed  must  be  near,  and  Cap- 
only.    The  noteU  ^j^^^_  ^  ^^  ^^ 

toinDalo  knew  *^' ^J^™^^„  ^^^fflied  with  pride 
a  large  nnmberof  f»"°"7^^  ^^^  „ho  we«  eager 
after  their  sueeesa  at  Fort  Mims 
for  another  fray  with  the  ^^l^T^^^Zmo.- 

■'-^r  rrittrdiZt'^ra  .ta..  ^^ 

t^H    — ing  in.  entire  party  he  crowed  the 
re7and  started  again  for  Fort  Madrson. 


122 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


CHAPTER  XIII 


ANDREW  JACKSON 


IN  order  to  understand  some  of  the  pcrtions  of  this 
story  which  will  soon  follow,  it  will  be  nec- 
essary for  us  at  this  time  to  stop  and  consider  the 
life  and  some  of  the  deeds  of  a  man  whose  name 
thus  far  scarcely  has  been  mentioned. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  there  was  living  near 
Nashville,  on  a  farm  which  was  called  the  "hermitage," 
a  man  named  Andrew  Jackson.  He  was  then  in  the 
prime  of  life,  tall  and  strong,  and  to  a  remarkable 
degree  held  the  confidence  of  his  fellows. 

His  boyhood  days  had  been  full  of  privation  and 
hardships,  but  he  had  come  through  them  all  success- 
fully, and  with  a  confidence  and  determination  largely 
made  by  his  very  conflict  with  adverse  surroundings. 
When  but  a  lad  he  had  had  a  share  in  the  struggles 
of  the  colonies  with  Great  Britain,  but  as  a  result  of 
those  very  struggles  he  had  been  left  without  a 
relative  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

He  had  had  many  quarrels,  although  it  is  but  just 
to  say  that  they  seldom  were  of  his  seeking;  but  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON 


123 


•tions  of  this 
vill  be  nec- 
consider  the 
whose  name 

living  near 
'hermitage," 
i  then  in  the 
I,  remarkable 
vs. 

rivation  and 
a  all  success- 
ation  largely 
urroundings. 
the  struggles 
IS  a  result  of 
t  without   a 

it  is  but  just 
ing;  but  the 


,  •  • .«  nf  the  men  of  those  times  was  not 
'^"^:ZZ^XenZu,r.,  a„d  young  Jackson, 
"ir-Ip'rnld  ««..  vva.  frequently  in  trouble. 
HU  mrk^l  tn.it  of  character,  h„,vever,  was  h«  ten- 

,    !tTmlx«e      If  once  he  started  on  a  Une  of  ■ 
:r  l/re^  as  though  noth.g^o«id-^ 

'""rvn:r:toras''o;7H" 

caused  him  to  De  kuowh  "^  , 

With  hU  early  days  and  strugg  es  we  >»-  WUc  to 
do  in  thU  story,  although  our  reader  would  doub  less 
tod  them  as  ilresting  as  the  later  events  m  hu,  hfe, 
r:  t.n  the  War  of  1812  was  declared,  no  one  in  aU 
lltn  wJmo^  rejoiced  than  Andrew  Jackso. 
To  r  British  he  owed  the  l»s  of  his  .nother  and 
Wttr     He  had  heen  a  captive  in  their  hands,  and 
W  nM  forgotten  his  own  early  sufferings.    H,s  feel- 
t,  oTreveL  was  natural,  and  the  public  sentiment 
2h  tZ  upheld  him.    Perhaps  if  he  M  been  born 
fi  uy  Jla^r  his  heart  might  not  have  been  so  hard 
afty  y°"»  "^  .  ^    „„„,a  have  appreciated 

"'rrtttly,  Andrew  ^-C-on  speedily  had  ^ 
f„^  of  twenty^ive  hundred  volunteers  who  had  d^ 
Cd  that  they  would  foUowhim  wherever  be  won  d 
l»^  them  He  tendered  their  services  to  the  rresi 
dettd 'these  were  acceptod,  although  there  w»  - 
foU  t»  be  any  immediate  demand  for  them.    All  the 


124 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG   BUAVES 


M 


interests  of  the  government  seemed  to  he  centred 
upon  the  Northwest,  but  if  President  Madison  could 
have  known  of  the  surrender  of  Detroit  and  the  catas- 
trophe at  the  River  Raisin,  and  also  of  the  hickory-like 
qualities  of  Andrew  Jackson,  doubtless  he  would  have 
been  glad  to  have  sent  liim  there  in  place  of  the  in- 
effhsient  leaders  who  were  in  command. 

Jackson  and  his  men  chafed  under  the  long  delay 
that  followed  the  acceptance  of  their  offers,  but  on  the 
first  of  November  he  received  word  from  Washington, 
directing  him  to  equip  and  organize  fifteen  hundred 
infantry  and  riflemen  and  go  down  to  New  Orleans 
to  reinforce  General  WUkinson,  who  then  waa  in  com- 
mand there. 

The  men  began  to  assemble  early  m  December,  1812, 
some  coming  from  places  many  miles  distant,  so  strong 
was  their  desire  to  follow  Jackson ;  but  delay  followed 
delay.  The  government  seemed  to  think  its  full  duty 
was  done  when  it  had  given  the  order  for  the  men  to 
assemble.  No  funds  had  been  provided  from  which 
they  were  to  be  paid,  and  arms  and  ammunition  were 
very  sparingly  furnished. 

But  General  Jackson  was  undismayed,  and  seemed 
to  be  roused  the  more  by  the  very  problems  that  faced 
liim,  and  at  last,  on  the  tliirty-first  of  December,  1812, 
he  despatched  Colonel  Coffee  with  the  mounted  men 
for  Natchez,  and  on  the  seventh  of  January-  he  em- 
barked his  two  infantry  regiments  m  flat-boats  on  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON 


125 


>  be  centred 
adison  could 
nd  the  catas- 
I  hickory-like 
3  would  have 
ce  of  the  in- 

e  long  delay 
rs,  but  on  the 
Washington, 
ieen  hundred 
New  Orleans 
n  was  in  com- 

cember,  1812, 
ant,  so  strong 
lelay  followed 
k  its  full  duty 
or  the  men  to 
d  from  which 
nunition  were 

d,  and  seemed 
sms  that  faced 
jcember,  1812, 
mounted  men 
,nuary  he  em- 
it-boats  on  the 


Cumberlaml,  but  it  ^  not  until  the  flfteenth  of  iob- 
™:X  fe  .un«l£  anivea  at  Natehe.,  »here  h. 
found  Colonel  Coffee  waiting  for  h™- 

At  thta  place  a  request  came  from  General  Wilkm  ,. 
SZL  at  New  Orleans, .»  halt  h«  eommand 
a^'  ^port  his  fo^s  and  instruetions.    Perhap,  the 
l^rL  suspicious  that  it  ™s  the  intenfon  of  J    k- 
r^   upersede  him,  but  as  there  was  no  mieat.™ 
T     li\,  unon  New  Orleans,  the  Tennessee  general 
of  an  attack  upon  lie"  ti,(.  tmoos  were 

„.orard  more  hnpatient.    Indeed,  patrenco  never 

W  taen  one  of  the  pK,minent  elements  m  h.s  eta- 

f        One  letter  did  not  satisfy  him,  and  he  sent  a 

•  ^t  winrida  where  the  Bntisn  ana 
rllSrrweU  r:*nlns,  were  exceedingly 
SZ;.e.  But  Wore  e"her  letl^r  amve^  J; 
Washington,  he  «eeived  an  orier  from  ft  «  ^  c  " 
sider  his  force  as  d^missed,  and  to  .l""'^'  " 
public  property  he  had  in  his  possession  U,  General 

^~n  w.  astounded;   and  omee«    and   men 


t«. 


,1 


126  TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 

alike  joined  in  denouncing  General  Armstrong,  the 
Secretary  of  War.  The  anger  increased  daily,  as 
they  were  unable  to  undei-stand  the  motives  for  such 
cold-blooded  work  (for  Jackson  had  received  only  a 
curt  tender  of  thanks  for  his  laboi-s),  until  a  letter 
came  from  General  Wilkinson  suggesting  the  recruit- 
ing of  the  regular  service  from  his  command. 

General  Jackson  underatood  it  all  now.  Wilkin- 
son  was  jealous  of  the  younger  leader,  and  had  tried 
to  undermine  him.  How  little  Jackson  cared  for  the 
order  of  his  superiors  can  be  judged  from  the  fact  that 
when  a  few  days  later  the  recruiting  officer  came,  he 
was  informed  that  if  he  tried  to  lead  away  a  single 
volunteer  from  the  corps,  he  would  be  drummed  out 

of  the  camp. 

And  yet  the  brave  general  scarcely  knew  what  to 
do.  IJi3  follower  were  mostly  young  men,  and  now 
they  were  five  hundred  miles  from  home  and  were  to 
be  deprived  of  their  arms  and  tente  and  provisions, 
and  even  the  sick  were  to  be  left  behind,  uncared  for 
and  unattended. 

He  would  not  submit,  and  in  no  very  choice  language 
he  wrote  the  Secretary  of  War  just  what  he  thought 
of  his  actions.  Genenxl  Armstrong  received  many 
puzzling  letters  during  the  war,  but  we  have  no  doubt 
he  understood  very  clearly  what  Andrew  Jackson 
wrote  him.  He  also  wrote  the  President,  and  in  part 
explained  why  he  did  not  inUjnd  to  obey  his  orders. 


ANDREW  JACKSON 


1-27 


mstroiig,  the 
led  daily,  as 
tives  for  such 
jeived  only  a 
until  a  letter 
,g  the  recruit- 
nand. 

ow.  Wilkin- 
and  had  tried 
cared  for  the 
X  the  fact  that 
flRcer  came,  he 
away  a  single 
drummed  out 

knew  what  to 
men,  and  now 
le  and  were  to 
,nd  provisions, 
d,  uncared  for 

hoice  language 
lat  he  thought 
received  many 
have  no  douht 
idrew  Jackson 
snt,  and  in  part 
ey  his  orders. 


,„,.  .ago.  »ua  »„,.  .  ™  .U^t„  g  .»  ro  ^^^__^ 
to  retiun  their  amis.     He  al»o  uor 

^'"'"  ,     ,       '^\    ..f    the    return    march    lay 

Two  hundred    maes    "^'^J^       „„,  chick,. 

saOT,  and  aliont  all  tne  expe 

to  ovemve  the«e  d>«ky  wamo,.    °  "'' 

:J.yeheeredhyh.e.an,p.ea„d«r^. 
But  Andrew  .I.tek»on,  true  to  his  ow 
h,a  no  thought  of  aWloning  >-  P"^  in  'to  »«=o 

.trngg-e  for  -— ^-'^r^ered  ^  *«  Uot  of 

was  bv  his  treatment,  and  angerea  uy 

r  wlr  Department,  the  dis^^t^ni  to  our  cause  m  the 

C^::rheAi"aneag.o  that  I  should  he  happy 


1-28 


TKCUMSKirS   YoUN(J   HU.WKS 


*arrivc(l  iit  tl.oir  h()ino«,  and  (leiioml  .hicksnii  as  uiikmI 
tlieii-  i.ay  lihnst-lf,  tlioujrh,  after  a  long  delay,  he  was 
reinibui-sed  by  CongroHS. 

The   Indian   troubles   did   not  allow  the  resolute 
general   to   remain   long   in  retirement,  and  he  was 
again  calle.1  upon  to  lead  a  large  body  of  troops  into 
the  Indian  country.     The  alarm  caused  by  the  mas- 
sacre at  Fort  Minis  had  aroused  the  entire  region. 
The  general  government  was  too  busy  in  its   cam- 
paigns on  the  northern  border  to  give  much  heed  to  this, 
•  and  the  local  olHcei-s  were  called  upon  to  act  at  once. 
The  governor  of  Tennessee  was  authorized  to  call  out 
thirty-five   hundred  men,  in  addition  to  the  fifteen 
hundred  required  by  the  general    government,  and 
Andrew  Jackson  was  immediately  placed  in  com- 
mand. 

He  directed  a  part  of  the  cavalry  to  report  at 
Huntsville  by  forced  marches,  and  Colonel  Coffee's 
division  was  soon  sent  on  to  Fort  St.  Stephen's,  which 
was  said  to  be  threatened  by  the  Indians.  When,  on 
the  seventh  of  October,  General  Jackson  arrived  at 
Fayetteville,  the  place  where  his  troops  had  gathered, 
Ul  in  health  and  with  his  arm  carried  in  a  sling,  he 
found  a  despatch  from  Colonel  Coffee  that  he  liad 
inarched  with  thirteen  hundred  men  a  short  distance 
Ijeyond  Huntsville,  and  that  the  Creeks  had  divided 

their  forces. 

It  had  been  thought  that  Mobile  would  be  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON 


1S9 


m  ;i,s  umnd 
lay,  ho  wiis 

lio  resolute 
,11(1  he  w«a 
troops  into 
|)y  the  mas- 
biro  region, 
in  its   cam- 
lieed  to  this, 
ict  at  once. 
I  to  call  out 
the  fifteen 
nment,  and 
ed  in  com- 

0  report  at 
nel  Coffee's 
(hen's,  which 

When,  on 

1  arrived  at 
ad  gathered, 
n  a  sling,  he 
that  he  liad 
lort  distance 

had  divided 

ould  be  the 


n   fi«it  iiftu'k  but  relieved  by 
place  the  enemy  would  first  attack,  ''^''  ' 

the  information  he  received,  Genenvl  Jacksoa  p^ 
pll  to  strike  a  few  auick  and  energetic  blows,  and 
to  crush  the  rebellion  in  a  brief  time. 

There   were  al)out  four  thousand  of    the  Creek 
r^  Id  thev  were  surrounded  by  an  American 

"r:ro-::::tthen>„™>„.oC*„  eleven^ 
„t  Octotor,  a  m<»«cnger  arrived  torn  Colonel  Coffee 

",i:,r'lfh:w7l.>eo„then>a.ohint.oh„»« 
*"  ,f  h!rLe!ru„.tatoo.,  that  Ge„e«l  Coeke  .ould 

lasting  to  word,  Oeneral  Jaeton  at  onee  pat  to 
Zl  under  arms  and  started.  They  soareely  halted 
dXt  day,  and  by  eight  o'clock  in  the  evenmg 
til  Ld  arrived  at  Hunt,viUe.  Here  the  rumo«  o! 
tindLn  attack  we,,  not  toUeved,  but  he  started  ™ 
:;■:  the  next  day,  and  at  evening  had  jomed  the 

CotnStffiwith  si.  hundred  men  against  Black- 


130 


TKCUMSEHS  YDlTNO  BIIAVRS 


I  \ 


warrior's  Town,  a  huntlnnl   miles  Hinitli,   wliile  he 
waitiMl  for  tlio  supplies  which  did  not  come. 

At  hwt  he  resolved  to  advance,  thoufrh  lie  had 
scarcely  a  week's  rations  on  hand.  He  could  not 
abandon  his  enteri)rise,  and  thouj,di  few  men  would 
have  had  the  courage  to  g(>  on  in  the  face  of  such 
obstacles,  he  would  not  give  up,  and  resolved  that 
the  friendly  Creeks  should  not  look  in  vain  to  him 
for  aid.  Famine  threatened  him,  and  yet  he  deter- 
mined to  advance  to  the  Ten  Islands,  and  then  sweep 
down  the  country  to  the  forks  of  the  Coosa  and  Tal- 
lapoosa, where  the  Red  Sticks  were  said  to  bo 
gathering. 

He  again  sent  letters  to  those  who  had  promised 
him  supplies,  and  he  himself  promised  to  pay  some  of 
the  private  citizens  if  they  would  furnish  his  army 
with  provisions. 

Colonel  Coffee  returned  from  his  expedition  to 
Blackwarrior's  Town,  where  he  had  not  seen  an 
Indian,  but  had  taken  three  hundred  busliels  of  corn. 
The  provisions  of  his  men  were  so  nearly  exhausted, 
that  during  the  bust  four  days  of  the  march  they  had 
subsisted  upon  parched  corn. 

General  Jackson  established  a  depot  for  provisions 
at  Fort  Deposit,  and  again  started  inland.  He 
marched  with  his  troops  in  three  columns,  so  that 
instantly  they  could  be  formed  in  order  of  battle  if  an 
attack  should  be  made.     On  the  march  he  despatched 


ANDBKW  JACKaoN 


ISl 


I,   while  he 
le. 

[i^h  lio  had 
1  could  not 
men  would 
iico  of  such 
isolved  that 
vain  to  him 
et  he  deter- 
l  then  sweep 
isa  and  Tal- 
said    to    be 

ftd  promised 
pay  some  of 
sh  his  army 

tpedition  to 
lot  seen  an 
lels  of  corn. 
y  exhausted, 
rch  they  had 

jr  provisions 
inland.  He 
mas,  so  that 
if  battle  if  an 
le  despatched 


„„  hunare..  c.™.ry,  w.o  .U..t™y«.  the  .n.«»n  vU-.^^ 

,  I  itu.f,.Wli<*  luul  .■olWctod  «omo  ion.  an  I  i    » w 

t    r    mIwUU.  hi.  tr„oi„  were  n-n,™-!.  »"«' 

^ho^'fl'l  clinging  f.  hi,  aea,.  r;'!-^^-'-' '"^^Il"; 
C»- "::;;:  rrirH.»e.h.o.n, on,  and 

JL  Fort  Strothe.  ana  the  P™™-  X.'  N    ,>ui^ 
n  „^«.l  Toffee  were  sent  on  to  Huntsvuie.  i 

pCtLl    "t  l^e"  receive,.,  and  the   "-y  --'[ 

"rth^l^nrS  K—  a  ™n„e.  a^ved  with 
J^Xnce  that  a  .a.ge  body  "' C^e^.e.-«« 
Talladega,  about  thirty  mile,  Bonth,  and  »ete  pre 

nirrrit'-di-played  the  .orce  o.  .U 
„„tX„  ^U,  and  with  twelve  hundred  infartvy  and 


•>f^ 


MM«M»iWM*>W*! 


132 


TECUMSEH'H  YOUNG  BRAVES 


eiglit  hundred  cavalry  ho  Htarted  for  Talladega.  Ho 
croHHod  the  (/oosa  in  the  night,  and  on  the  evening 
of  the  eighth  encamped  within  six  miles  of  his  des- 
tination. About  midnight  a  friendly  Indian  chief 
named  Chenubhy  arrived  with  word  from  General 
White  that  ho  (lould  send  no  supplies,  tis  he  had 
Iwen  ordered  farther  up  the  Coosa.  The  last  message 
was  almost  enough  to  crush  any  ordinary  man,  Imt 
Andrew  Jackson  did  not  give  up,  but  pressed  on 
towards  Talladega. 

A  stirring  engagement  there  took  place,  but  who 
could  withstand  the  determined  man?  The  friendly 
Indians  in  the  fort  were  released,  and  the  hostilcs 
fled,  leaving  three  hundred  of  their  warriora  dead 
upon  the  field. 

As  soon  as  the  victory  was  complete,  the  general 
at  once  started  back  for  Fort  Strother.  Tho  horaes 
were  nearly  famished,  and  tho  men  were  sulTering 
from  hunger.  Jackson,  who  was  in  the  van  of  the 
returning  troo^w,  noticed  some  acorns  on  the  ground 
JUS  ho  passed.  Hastily  dismounting,  he  threw  the 
bridle  over  his  arm,  and,  having  gathered  a  fow  of  the 
nuts,  sat  down  on  the  roots  of  a  large  tree  to  eat 
them.  One  of  the  soldiers,  noticing  him,  approached, 
and  demanded  something  to  eat. 

"  I  never  turn  away  tho  hungry,"  said  the  genenvl, 
"  while  I  have  anything  to  give  them."  He  then 
offered  the  soldier  some  of  the  acorns,  saying,  "  I  will 


iijit'iaTllriJ 


nmm>-  ■ 


ANHIIBW  JACKSON 


183 


liuloga.  Ho 
the  evening 
i  of  luH  (leH- 
[nilian  cliief 
oni  General 
,  a»  he  \m\ 
liiHt  message 
ry  man,  luit 
;  pressed  on 

ICO,  but  who 

rhe  friendly 

the  hostilcs 

arriora  dead 

the  general 

Tho  hoi'ses 
jro  sulfering 
)  van  of  the 

the  ground 
)  threw  tho 

a  few  of  the 
I  tree  to  eat 
,  approached, 

tho  geneml, 
"  He  then 
^ing,  "  I  will 


ehocrfuUy  divido   vrith  you  .u«h   UM  .»    I    !"»• 
Mortifl...!  ana  .xkuucd,  Iho  ...ldi.T  vMmM  W  lu. 
wtw::re,K,rting  the  iudacnt,,„,d  tho  ■„«.■„.«■■„.«» 

"'orthrrvlmKot  «.  oWe„th  of  Nov«n.«r,tho 
,  °rivJ.  «t  Ko,t  St,.thor,  hut  «...  hitterly  d». 
:;;;!iri  wh.„  th.y  l..ruod  th„t,am.«tno,™v«>o.« 

:s:r:h— t..„..a,.d.oo,.tho»h„. 
''™i:::^tx4'-h..o™ed«the 

™intTaLimeut«  had  determined  to  leave  the  camp, 

Tt  r.  onteed  the  volunteer  brigade  unde,-  arm8,and 
at  once  orue  ^^^^  ^j„j„  to 

ECThrha;thcde.i.de«cct,a,>a,ui,t 

''«zr«rr:drdrtVitweiy.u,,p.i.wo^d 

Jri  the  camp,  Andrew  JacW.  made  an  elo- 

';X:Utimng  appeal  to  hi.  M-v-'P-^'^t 
that  if  provisions  did  not  arrive  withm  two  days,  he 
wl  f  wlldleadthem  back  where  there  was  plenty 


I.I  w 


-iiiiliiir-i«ifi|i'i'l',i' 


134 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


I  w' 


declared  that  it  two  men  would  stay  by  him  that  he 
would  remain  in  the  camp,  one  hundred  and  nine  men 
were  found  who  promised  to  remain  also. 

He  was  confident,  however,  that  the  supplies  were 
near,  and  he  joined  the  departing  militia,  making  the 
one  condition,  that  if  they  should  meet  the  supply 
party,  they  all  would  return  with  him  to  the  camp. 

Within  ten  or  twelve  miles  of  the  fort  they  met 
a  party  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  beeves.  The 
column  at  once  halted,  the  cattle  were  knocked  down, 
and  the  half-famished  men  had  such  a  repast  as  they 
had  not  known  for  weelcs. 

When,  however,  the  order  to  return  was  given,  none 
obeyed.  One  company  had  already  started,  and  the 
angry  general,  with  a  few  men,  dashed  ahead  of  them 
and  declared  he  would  shoot  the  first  one  who 
endeavored  to  pass  him. 

These  men  then  fell  back,  but  the  others  were  not 
so  easily  moved.  The  general  argued  and  pleaded, 
but  without  avail.  Finally,  snatching  a  musket  from 
a  soldier  he  threw  it  across  the  neck  of  his  horse,  and 
declared  he  would  shoot  the  first  man  who  mofld  a 
single  step  in  advance. 

For  several  minutes  not  a  word  was  uttered.  At 
length  the  men  gave  way  before  the  iron  will  and 
resolute  daring  of  their  leader,  and  in  a  short  time 
were  on  their  way  back  to  Fort  Strother.  If  they 
had  known  that  the  niusket  was  out  of  order,  and 


ANDREW  JACKSON 


135 


him  that  he 
md  nine  men 

applies  were 
,  making  the 
t  the  supply 
the  camp, 
ort  they  met 
beeves.  The 
locked  down, 
repast  as  they 


the  general's  arm  too  weak  to  hold  it,  they  might  not 
have  been  80  quickly  cowed. 

Such  was  the  daring  of  Andrew  Jackson.    The  e 
deeds  we  have  recorded  were  slight  -"H-ed  J^* 
those  that  followed;  but  for  the  account  of  them  we 
n^ust  wait  for  some  of  the  chapters  to  follow.    Th^ 
outline  of  his  work,  however,  was  necessary  before 
we  went  on,  and  will  help  to  explam  many  of  the 
incidents  ani  adventures  that  will  U  related  further 
on  in  our  story. 


IS  given,  none 
irted,  and  the 
ihead  of  them 
irst    one  who 

bhers  were  not 
I  and  pleaded, 
1  musket  from 
his  horse,  and 
who  moT^d  a 


s  uttered.  At 
iron  will  and 
I  a  short  time 
)ther.  If  they 
;  of  order,  and 


136 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


-%« 


1^ 


\ 


CHAPTER  XIV 

TECTJMSEH's    young    BRAVES    AGAIN 

FOR  fifteen  days  the  boys  remained  at  Fort  Madi- 
son, where  Captain  Dale  and  all  his  party  ar- 
rived safely.    The  danger  in  the  country,  however, 
was  increasing  every  moment.    The   whole  region 
seemed  to  he  infested  with  the  savage  and  treacher- 
ous foes.     Almost  every  day  information  wt'H  be 
brought  to  the  fort  that  the  family  of  some  Ion;-  '•■     >cr 
had  been  murdered;  and  many  refugees  we.      .    i 
received.     All  of  them  realized  now  that  the  time 
had  come  for  decisive  action,  and  nearly  all  the  avail- 
able men  were  in  the  service. 

When  about  two  weeks  had  passed,  our  boys,  with 
their  friend  Josiah  Fletcher,  left  Fort  Madison  .  ^ 
be  the  bearere  of  a  message  to  General  Claflbme. 
They  knew  that  a  long  march  was  before  them,  and 
as  well  equipped  as  the  scanty  condition  of  the  fort 
warranted,  they  started  forth  early  one  morning  on 
their  way  to  the  camp  of  Claiborne. 

They  crossed  the  river  in  a  canoe  which  €8e8ar  gave 
them,  and  near  the  farther  shore  began  to  go  down 


ij0: 


W 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BUAVES  AGAIN 


137 


lGAIN 

,t  Fort  Madi- 
his  party  ar- 
try,  liowever, 
whole  region 
and  treacher- 
ion  wT'^*^  be 
ne  lon;^ '  hx 
les  we*  i ; '  i 
that  the  time 
y  all  the  avail- 

our  boys,  with 
•t  Madison  ^  ^ 
3ral  Claroome. 
ifore  them,  and 
on  of  the  fort 
ne  morning  on 

ich  Caesar  gave 
m  to  go  down 


the  stream.     M  wonder  why  so  many  of  the  darides 

are  called  Ciesar,"  said  1  om.  ,, 

.They  seem  to  like  the  name    I  reckon,    rephed 

the  hunter   "  I  don't  know  any  other  reason.  Though 
the  huntti.  ^^^^^  ^  jg  a 

*i>ia  Ti'sar  here  that  we  vc  juau 

tad  the  same  name  at  fort  M"'«-     «   y-  , 

the  fellow's  sereeehe.,  now,   and  -—  J^  ^^ 
„ke  up  in  the  night,  the  r>et..n^  ^^,y>edas 
w,u,tothc  wlnpplng-l«t,  and  h>»  l""  »  ' 

house  is  one's  »"  >"ome  Jhe  a.  «  ^^ 

u  There's  our   horse,"    said    Jerry.         Uia  i^ 
Ti^^:,rr::^r-H-e  carried  .n.o« 
Wore  this.      It  looks  as  though  there  w»  »o  one 
here,"  said  Tom. 


*i-' 


% 


*r 


188 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


i^ 


"I  don't  l)elieve  any  one  has  been  here,"  said 
Josiah ;  and  when  all  three  entered  the  house,  they 
could  find  no  evidence  of  any  one  having  visited  the 
place  during  their  absence. 

"It's  a  little  tough  to  come  back  to  your  own 
home,"  said  Jerry,  "  and  find  everything  as  blank  as 
it  is  here." 

"  Yes,  but  not  half  so  bad,"  said  Josiah,  "  as  what 
we've  found  at  so  many  of  these  houses,  where  the 
settlei-s  insisted  on  staying  until  it  was  too  late  for 
them  to  get  away." 

"  I  wonder,"  said  Tom,  "  how  many  murdered  men, 
women,  and  children  we've  found ! " 

"  Too  many,  too  many,"  said  Josiah,  as  he  busied 
himself  in  making  preparations  for  their  supper. 

They  all  remained  there  during  the  night,  and  Josiah 
was  astir  in  the  morning  long  before  either  of  the  boys 
was  awake.  He  liad  gone  outside  the  house,  and 
was  carefully  examining  all  the  signs  about  the  place, 
when  he  suddenly  stopped  and  listened.  His  atten- 
tion was  fastened  upon  a  little  canoe  which  he  saw 
coming  very  rapidly  down  the  river,  and  he  soon 
was  able  to  perceive  that  tlu-ee  men  were  in  it. 
Josiah  stood  and  watched  the  fleet  little  craft,  endeav- 
oring to  make  out  what  it  was  and  who  were  paddling 
it,  but  all  he  could  determine  was  that  the  occupants 
were  Indians  and  that  the  place  the  canoe  was  making 
for  was  the   very  one  on  which  he  himself  stood. 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES  AGAIN 


139 


here,"  said 
3  house,  they 
ig  visited  the 

to  your  own 
g  as  blank  as 

iah,  "  as  what 
38,  where  the 
s  too  late  for 

lurdered  men, 

,  as  he  busied 
jir  supper, 
ht,  and  Josiah 
iier  of  the  boys 
le  house,  and 
30ut  the  place, 
id.  His  atten- 
which  he  saw 

and  he  soon 

n   were  in  it. 

}  craft,  endeav- 

were  paddling 

the  occupants 
oe  was  making 
himself  stood. 


With  an  e.c.™atio„  o.  *g>.»t,  ''rj^^lil'^rg 
„„d  entered  the  hou»e,  and  aromed  both  the  rfctprng 

'"ihev  all  were  startled  as  they  came  out  into  the 
opl'air  nd  watched  the  swiftly  m-ro-h-g  "- 
AU  three  of  the  Indians  were  paddling,  and  the  little 
"ven  by  the  force  of  their  strokes,  was  n,ak,ng 
rapid  headway  towards  the  shore  _ 

"We  want  to  get  out  of  this,  boys,   sau 
Mt  ™y  ^  they'i.'  alone,  and  then  -.ybe  'W -"^ 
alone.    Let's  get  tehind  *-».f  :»•"*:  '^ 
barn,  anyway,"  a  suggestion  which  the  boys  speedily 

'"N^t  and  nearer  they  could  see  that  the  canoe 
w^tZng,  and  Josiah  said,  "We  -  P^k  *e. 
la  now.  Each  of  you  boys  can  take  one,  an*  ^fj 
yon'U  he  lucky  enough  ■  o  hit  something,  and  1 U  take 

the  third."  .  ,,      •  j   t^.,,      "  We 

"We  don't  want  to  shoot  yeV  said    Fo.n.        We 

don'Tknow  whether  they're  friendly  Indians  or  not. 

tI  way"  *ch  they're  coming  shows  they  re  com- 

Alio  wojr  fViovVp  in  a  hurry  about  it, 

rxi:i^r:r^Xwe.t.Lg..t 

Again   ana     g  ^^^.^^  ^^  ^ 

rtdirrtirr:.:e:tJfLl»yseaehtime 

he  gave  up  his  project. 


tm 


TECUMHEIl'S   YOUNG   BRAVES 


"  Lot's  go  into  the  house,  boys,"  said  Josiah,  after  a 
few  moments  had  passed.  "We  can  get  in  without 
lK?ing  seen  from  the  river,  and  if  we  have  to  fight 
for  our  lives,  we  can  do  it  better  there  than  we  can 

anywhere  else." 

"Here  goes,  then,"  said  Jerry,  as  he  led  the  way, 
and  soon  all  three  were  inside  the  house,  and  the 
door  had  been  barred  in  such  a  manner  that  it  could 
not  be  easily  opened  from  without. 

"No  other  canoe  is  in  sight,"  said  JeiTy,  as  they 
took  their  positions  where  they  could  watch  the  move- 
ments of  the  little  boat,  "and  I  don't  believe  there's 
any  one  else  with  them.     We'll  wait  and  see  what 

they're  up  to."  ,  .,     ' 

"  They're  almost  up  to  the  shore  now,  and  they  re 
going  to  land,"  said  Josiah;  "that's  what  they're 
going  to  do.  It  would  have  been  a  good  deal  better 
to  have  dropped  them  in  their  canoe,  and  saved  them 
all  this  trouble,  to  say  nothing  of  ourselves." 

Tom  made  no  reply,  for  with  renewed  interest  he 
was  watching  the  approachin«r  Indians. 

"  Jerry,  do^ou  see  who  that  is?  "   he  said  to  his 
brother  in  a  low  voice. 

"Why,  it's  Tecumseh's    young  braves,"    replied- 
■  Jerry.     "  Captain  Jim  has  a  strut  Uke  a  turkey  gob- 
bler.   I  don't  believe  he  has  got  over  the  glory  yet 
that  he  won  at  the  butchery  at  Mims." 

"Keep  quiet,"  said  his  brother.    "Let's  see  what 


TKCUMSEirS  YOUNG   BRAVES   AGAIN 


141 


;s 

Josiah,  after  a 
ot  in  without 
have  to  fight 
(  than  we  can 

!  led  the  way, 

ouse,  and  the 

that  it  could 

JeiTy,  as  they 
atch  the  move- 
believe  there's 
and  see  what 

»w,  and  they're 

i  what  they're 

ood  deal  better 

,nd  saved  them 

slves." 

ived  interest  he 

I. 
he  said  to  his 

iraves,"    replied- 

e  a  turkey  gob- 

er  the  glory  yet 

ns."- 

"  Let's  see  what 


thcy'm  gcnng  to  do.    Tl.oy  ."ay  te  going  to  .et  liro 
r  the  to,u,t,  to_l«y  u»  for  th.  time  when  wo  got 

away  fion^  them."  , 

Jasiah  again  volunteered  his    advxce    that    they 
should  waste  no  tin^e,  and  shoot  every  one  of   die 
three  Indians ;  but  the  boys  were  unwilhng  to  do  tlus 
as  thcv  had  a  good  deal  of  curiosity  concerning  the 
visit  of  the  young  warrior,  and  wanted  to  learn  what 
obiect  they  had  in  coming. 

As  soon  as  the  canoe  had  been  concealed  among 
the  bushes  on  the  bmk,  the  three  yo^^sl^d^-^ 
turned  and  advanced  towards  the  house,  holding  out 
the  palms  of  their  hands.  Each  of  t^em  carried  a 
gun,  in  addition  to  the  bow  and  quiver,  which  they 
never  had  discarded.  ^, 

u  They're  ou  a  peaceful  errand  this  time,  said 
Tom,  "and  it's  a  good  thing  we  didn't  shoot  It 
may  be  they  have  got  a  message  for  us,  and  have 
Teamed  that  we  ai.  here.  I'm  going  to  step  outeide 
and  see,  at  any  rate."  And  he  opened  the  door  and 
motioned  for  the  young  Indians  to  approach.  The 
surprise  which  their  visit  had  aroused  was  as  nothing 
compared  with  the  message  which  they  gave  the 

^""  They've  left  the  fighters,"  said  Tom,  as  he  re- 
turned.    "  They've  gone  over  to  our  side.'' 

uWhatl"  said  Jerry.  ^^  "Aren't  they  Tecumsehs 
young  braves  any  more  ?  " 


•  nanjgi  in  n  J,i,»,|fl!l* 


142  TECUMSEirS  YOUNO   BRAVKS 

"Tecuimeh'8  young  braves,"  muttered  Captain 
Jim,  with  a  special  emphasis  on  the  first  word.  "  No 
Weatherford's.      No   Ucd    Eagle's.      No    Hoponika 

Futsahia's." 

They  were  not  inclined  to  talk  very  much,  and  yet 
the  reason  for  their  coming  was  soon  learned.  Briefly 
stated,  the  course  of  events  which  led  up  to  this  action 
on  the  part  of  Tecumseh's  young  bmves  was  this: 
Brigadier-General  John  Floyd,  with  nine  hundred  and 
fifty  b<.ld  followers,  who  were  guided  by  Mordecai, 
a  Jew  trader  whom  our  boys  already  knew,  had 
entered  the  hostile  region,  aroused  by  the  cry  for 
help  that  had  gone  abroad  after  the  massacre  at  Fort 

Mims.  1     -ii. 

General  Floyd  crossed  the  Chattahoochee,  and  with 
.  his  forces  pushed  steadily  westward  towards  the 
Tallapoosa,  where  he  had  been  informed  that  a  large 
number  of  the  hostile  Indians  had  been  assembled  at 
the  Indian  village  of  Auttose.  This  village  was  suj^ 
posed  to  be  "holy  ground,"  and  the  prophets  had  told 
their  superstitious  followers  that  no  white  man  ever 
could  set  foot  on  that  ground  and  live. 

This  town  was  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Tallapoosa, 
about  twenty  miles  above  the  place  where  it  joined 
the  Coosa.  On  the  28th  of  November  General  Floyd 
encamped  within  a  few  miles  of  tliis  spot,  and  shortly 
after  midnight  started  with  all  his  men  to  attack 
the  place. 


TECUMSEUS  YOUNG  BRAVES  AGAIN 


143 


red    Captain 
word.     "  No 

0  Hoponika 

uch,  and  yet 
ned.  Briefly 
to  this  action 
ves  was  this : 
hundred  and 
by  Mordecai, 
y  knew,  had 
f  the  cry  for 
ssacre  at  Fort 

jhee,  and  with 
towards   the 

1  that  a  large 
1  assembled  at 
lUage  was  sup- 
>phets  had  told 
rhitQ  man  ever 

he  Tallapoosa, 
vhere  it  joined 
General  Floyd 
lot,  and  shortly 
men  to  attack 


At  dawn  ho  wrivort  Mow  tl.«  tow",  ami  amngcd 
hU  t  »"  to  three  columns  for  Wtle.    The  fnendly 

:uZ\ve»  with  him,  led  l-y"  '"' ""^^  Tm  J 
William  M.ujki.ito.h,  and  a  clue!  called  the     Miul 

"tnf:r;io,ahadinte„aed.snn^^^^^^^^^^ 
but  when  the  morning  light  came,  he  sa.v 
were  two  villages  instead  of  one,  and  it  was  nec^s..y 
for  him  at  once  to  change  the  position  of  his  fore  • 
One  t«wn  w..«  about  one  hundred  rods  below  the 
other,  and  to  this  lower  village  one  of  the  three  com- 
panies  was  sent,  and  the  attack  ^'«;>^^^", 

The  battle  at  once  became  general,  the  ndians  ap^^ 
pearing  at  nearly  eveiy  point  and  fightmg  bravely  fox 
TZl  but  the  boom  of  the  heavy  artilleiy  which 
GenT^;  Floyd  had  brought  with  him  and  the  funous 
Wonet  changes  so  frightened  them  that  thej.  turned 
and  fled  to  the  cane-covered  caves  which  had  l)een 
cut  in  the  bluffs  of  the  river. 

The  events  which  followed  were  a  source  of  shame 
to  all  the  Americans,  and  the  only  excuse  which  can 
Toffered  wa.  the  anger  and  fear  whxch  had  been 
^used  by  the  massacre  at  Fort  Mims,  and  which  led 
Thesoldi-  on  to  harsher  measui^s  than  otherwise 
would  have  been  used. 

Four  hundred  ef  the  Indian  dwelling,  «orne  of 
which  were  large  andeontained  many  valuahle  art.d«, 
wore  fired,  and  the  dismayed  Indians  were  htmted  and 


?!'2S^rii^^^>''i*^'* -■  ■'" 


144 


TKrilMSKIIS   YOrNd   IIUAVKS 


l,uU-lu..r,l  in  al.uust  us  Huv;if,n;  a  niuuner  ,»*  tl.o  wlates 

Fully  iwo  h.uulml  nf  the  In.lians  w..v  nmnlcvd, 
while  'Floyd  lost  only  dcv.n  kilh-.l  ami  I.Hy-four 
wonn.liMl.  lie  ha.l  nvarehe.l  one  l.un.l.v.l  a.i.l  twenty 
.niles  in  neven  .lays,  and  .u.  Auttose  wa.s  s.xiy  nnles 

fron»  any  dep'^t  -^   !»---""«'  '"  ''   "":  '"''"" 
back   to  Fort    Mitchell.      HiB  retnr.unK'  fmees  were 
hHvn«.»ed  Honu^what  by  son.e  desperate  survives  of 
Autt.«»e,  but  no  great  damage  WiW  done. 

But  the  loss  of  "  holy  g-""'! "  '""^  P''«^*'",.*:;'  '"I"^'! 
for  the  faith  of  Tecuniseh's  young  l.mves.  1  hey  had 
i,nplicitly  iKlieved  their  prophets  when  they  had 
dilared'that  no  white  n.an  could  set  foot  on  tha 
.round  and  live ;  but  the  ^vhite  .nen  had  fared  )etter 
than  the  Indians  there,  and  thoroughly  disgusted  now, 
the  young  bmves  had  felt  a  reaction,  and  had  given 
up  all  hope  for  the  success  of  their  cause. 

They  had  resolved  that,  l^efore  it  Wivs  too  late,  they 
would  enter  the  service  of  the  Americans  convinced 
now  that  all  their  efforts  against  them  would  be  fruit, 
less.  In  some  way,  which  they  did  not  explam  to 
the  hovs,  they  had  learned  of  their  presence  at  their 
old  hie,  and  their  former  feeling  of  frieiulslup  re- 
turnine   they  had  resolved  to  seek  them  there. 

TheS  coming  wa«  eagerly  welcomed  by  the  ^b, 
who  were  glad  of  their  aid,  and  rejoiced  to  have  them 
In  their  own  side;  but  Josiah  did  not  share  m  tixe 


TKCUMSKllS   YC.UNO   HHAVE9   AO.MN 


145 


iM  tlio  whites 

■  re  iiinnl»MH'(l, 
m»l  lifty-four 
(I  iui«l  twimty 
IS  sixty  miles 
jiu'c  hiisteiied 
g  forces  were 
i  survivoi-s  of 
>ne. 

■ovcii  too  much 
cs.  They  had 
l»eu  they  had 
t  foot  on  that 
ad  fared  Ixitter 
disgusted  now, 
and  had  given 
cause. 

18  too  hvto,  they 
cans,  convinced 
would  ho  fruit- 
not  explain  to 
lesence  at  their 
•f  friendship  re- 
them  there, 
ed  by  the  boys, 
ed  to  have  them 
lot  share  in  the 


.»r..,nious      llewasalwolutvly 

tat  tbo  youn«  l„,.vc.»  .       -  t'       j,„i„l,,  howev«v, 
with  good  measure. 


146 


TECUMSEira  YOUNG   BRAVES 


CHAPTER   XV 

THE  SEARCH   FOR  J08IAH 

THE  addition  of  three  members  to  our  party  not 
merely  increiwed  its  size,  but  its  perils  its  well.  If 
danger  arose  it  would  be  much  ujore  difficult  for  them 
to  conceal  themselves,  and  the  presence  of  six  men 
would  be  far  more  likely  to  be  discovered  than  of 
three.  They  all  were  tough  and  hardy,  however, 
accustomed  to  the  presence  of  danger,  and  a  tramp 
of  many  miles  through  the  forest  had  no  feara  for 
them.  Josiah,  indeed,  suspicious  of  Tecumseh's 
young  braves,  was  continually  watchful  of  them,  but 
in  the  hearts  of  the  boys  there  was  no  such  feeling 
concerning  them. 

They  had  known  them  for  a  long  time,  and  while  they 
were  as  fickle  as  the  Indians  are  proverbially  known 
to  be,  and  had  been  thoroughly  frightened  in  the  over- 
throw of  the  place  which  they  had  considered  "  holy 
ground,"  yet  they  were  no  cowards.  The  boys  were 
satisfied  that  their  presence  would  increase  their 
strength  and  in  many  ways  might  serve  to  avert  the 
dangers  of  the  march. 


THE  BEAUCII  FOR  .TOSlAll 


147 


ir  party  not 

8  ii8  well.   If 

3ult  for  them 

I  of  hIx  men 

;red   than  of 

ily,  however, 

and  a  tramp 

1X0  feara  for 

Tecumseh's 

of  them,  but 

such  feeling 

nd  while  they 
bially  known 
d  in  the  over- 
jidered  "  holy 
lie  boys  were 
acrease  their 
to  avert  the 


E„riv  in  the.  u..,nh«  tWy  -UrtM  out  »..»«  th. 

,2;;,t,.u,t.,«t.tK„..ow.,.a,«w..^ 

tl„.u-  «»»i.timc..  i"   l.n»"""K  to.«l.     VVIUU,  u   J 

r:;.,r. :.!:».-  .^^  „,.. «,,.  ,„>«..  ,.•.„« ,..« 

,X,lt.»nof.u,:.m,.,«..awaw.t,,,,y.^^^^^^ 

„„,  „t  n*»t  .mv.  at  u  .  -  ;"^^^^^  ,„„i, 
U, ,«.» tl„,  msl.t.     I.,  the  ".™"-2f  ,,,„,„„  „„„„ 

ssr:^:t^cr.;:™. ...- 

brought  them  all  to  a  halt. 

uWhati8it,Jim?"a8ked   Terry.  ^ 

usmoke,"  said  the  Indiaiv  hn.  ly. 

Rnt  the  IK.VS  were  not  able  to  see  it,  and  even 

man's  smoke.'  ,iprlared  to  be 

Were  these  men  the  young  bra^es  decla^^ 

.      ,        f  ^a  9     The  Question  could  not  ue  seir 
near,  friends  or  foes?    The  que  ^^  ^^^^ 

tied  where  th,V  '^^«^  ^^^^^V""'^' ?  .'e  '      ^^^         the 

as  vet  had  seeu  ihe  indications  of  the  P^^senc 

X  men  of  which  the  young  bi.ve  appeared  to  be 


jnniigfy 


148 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


SO  positive.  It  was  finally  decided  that  Captain  Jim 
should  go  and  make  such  discoveries  as  he  could. 
He  at  once  expressed  his  willingness  to  do  this,  and 
declared  that  the  smoke  indicated  that  the  camp  of 
the  strangers  was  distant  not  more  than  a  half-hour's 

journey. 

All  six  pushed  on  for  a  part  of  the  way,  and  then 
five  of  them  remained  behind,  while  the  young  Indian 
went  in  advance  to  make  a  closer  observation  of  the 
smoke  before  them.  They  all  could  see  it  now,  and 
the  sight  had  strengthened  the  confidence  they  had 
in  the  Indian's  faithf uhiess,  as  well  as  in  the  keenness 
of  his  vision. 

They  waited  impatiently  for  the  young  brave,  re- 
maining quietly  in  the  place  they  had  chosen,  and 
their  patience  was  rewarded  in  a  brief  time  by  the 
return  of  their  companion. 

Three  white  men  and  three  Indians,  Captain  Jim 
declared  to  be  in  the  camp  ahead  of  them,  indicating 
the  number  by  the  fingers  of  his  hand.  Of  the  white 
men  he  declared  one  was  a  pale-face  and  two  were 
black,  by  which  they  understood  that  the  party  con- 
sisted of  three  Indians,  one  British  officer,  and  two 
Spaniards,  for  the  swarthy  complexion  of  the  last 
named  frequently  led  the  Indians  to  call  them  the 
"dark  pale-faces." 

Captain  Jim  also  declared  they  were  not  friends, 
and  his  opinion  was  not  changed  by  anything  Josiah 


THE  SEARCH  FOR  JOSIAH 


149 


Captain  Jim 
IS  lie  could, 
do  this,  and 
the  camp  of 
a  half-hour's 

ay,  and  then 
oung  Indian 
'^ation  of  the 
it  now,  and 
ice  they  had 
the  keenness 

ng  brave,  re- 
chosen,  and 
time  by  the 

Captain  Jim 
m,  indicating 
Of  the  white 
nd  two  were 
he  party  con- 
icer,  and  two 
of  the  last 
all  them  the 

!  not  friends, 
ything  Josiah 


could  say  to  him.     The  hunter  was  still  sceptical  of 

he  young  Indian's  ability  and  worth,  and  he  declared 

thit  he  w-,s  going  on  to  make  an  observation  for  him- 

elf  of  the  party  in  advance  of  them.     He  would  not 

Zl  to  any  of'the  remonstrances  of  liis  compamons, 

and  immediately  leaving  them  «t*'^«'l  a^one^ 

A  half  hour,  as  much  as  the  young  bmve  had  con 
sumed  in  his   journey,  parsed,  and  Jo-h  djd  - 
return.     Another  half    hour  passed  and  still  there 
TZ  no  signs  of  the  missing  hunter.    When  another 
Tour  also  had  gone,  they  began  to  feel  uneasy  about 
L,  and  fearful  that  he  had  fallen  into  some  troub   • 
"Why  doesn't  he  come?"  said  Jerry,  with  consid- 
erable irritation.     ''  If  the  redskins  are  near  us,  we 
don't  want  to  stay  here  any  longer  than  we  have  U>, 
and  he  ought  not  to  keep  us  waitmg. 

-It  may  be  he  doesn't  come  because  he  cant 
come,"  said  Tom ;  but  Captain  Jim  at  once  arose  and 
delred  that  he  would  go  and  see  what  had  befallen 
the  "  white  hunter." 

The  young  Indian  was  not  ignor^t  of  the  sus 
picion  with  which  Josiah  regarded  him  and  while 
he  had  entered  into  no  convei^ation  with  him  and 
made  no  effort,  to  win  his  favor,  his  proposal  was 
eagerly  hailed  by  the  boys,  as  they  knew  the  o  d 
mlJ  would  appreciate  the  effort,  in  his  beha^ 
and  perhaps  be  drawn  more  closely  to  him  if^  he  was 
in  any  difficulty. 


4 


.miKfi    w«i  iniiiii»!,<yi.'»% 


150  TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 

In  less  time  than  ho  had  consumed  before,  the 
young  Indian  made  his  observations  and  was  back  in 
the  camp;  but  as  he  entered  he  gave  no  sign  of  his 
having  seen    Josiali  and  said    no  word  about  his 

journey. 

''Did  you  see  him?"  asked  Tom;  but  Captain  Jim 
was  silent  for  a  few  moments,  and  then  said  briefly, 

"Gone." 

"  He's  gone  ?    What  do  you  mean,  Josiah  or  those 

men  you  saw?"  asked  Jerry. 

"All  gone,"  replied  the  Indian.      "White  hunter 

gone,  too." 

"  Where  have  they  gone  ?  "  asked  Tom. 

"  Same  way  we  go,"  replied  the  Indian.    "  White 
hunter  go  as  a  prisoner." 

"Prisoner!"   said  both  boys  together.  "How  do 

you  know  ?  " 

Captain  Jim  was  not  inclined  to  explain  the 
methods  by  which  he  had  arrived  at  his  information, 
except  to  repeat  his  words  that  the  entire  party  had 
left  the  camp,  and  that  he  knew  Josiah  had  been  a 
prisoner  because  he  marched  in  the  middle  of  the 
group.  The  Indians  had  gone  in  front  of  him,  and 
the  white  men  had  marched  l)ehind.  AH  this  he  had 
learned  from  his  study  of  the  trail  they  had  left.  He 
also  declared  that  Josiah's  gun  had  been  taken  away 
from  him,  and  that  he  thought  his  hands  were  bound  be- 
hind him,  but  of  this  latter  point  he  was  not  pasitive. 


THE  SEARCH  FOR  JOSIAH 


151 


before,  the 
was  back  in 

sign  of  his 
lI  about  his 

Captain  Jim 
said  briefly, 

isiah  or  those 

^hite  hunter 

n. 

an.    "  White 

jr.  "How  do 

explain  the 
}  information, 
lire  party  had 
h  had  been  a 
niddle  of  the 
t  of  him,  and 
11  this  he  had 
had  left.  He 
3n  taken  away 
ftrere  bound  be- 
ts not  positive. 


Greatly  diBtmbed.  the  party  began  «»  *f  "f"  "''"^ 
,Wd  .^  done  now,  and  as  t^y  talked    *e^^- 

think  if   he  really  n  ^^^^.^^^^  ^ 

have  been  his  own  fault,  tor  ne  nuti 

out,  especially  if  they're  going  m  the  same 
"c;"n'jin,  tho,.nghly  approved  of  the  p.p«- 

ZI  eompelled  to  allow  the  young  Ind^,.  ^  Uke 

Z^Ly  considered  very  go«l  ^  ^  '_^;^™ 
following. 


iJir-'ifni.'<i<wii>irTi>i.ii  i^ij|ft«  - 


m 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


Josiah's  captors  evidently  had  not  gone  in  a  direct 
way,  and  frequently  had  turned  in  a  direction  oppo- 
site to  the  one  they  supposed  they  had  taken;  but 
they  followed  them  as  well  as  they  could,  and  at  night 
came  near  to  Randon's  creek.  Here  all  signs  of  the 
other  party  were  lost,  and  Captain  Jim  declared  that 
they  must  have  crossed  to  the  other  side.  But  how 
had  they  done  this  ?  There  were  no  canoes  anywhere 
to  be  seen,  and  the  creek  was  too  deep  for  them  to 
have  waded  across  it,  and  they  did  not  believe  that 
all  would  have  been  tempted  to  swim  in  such  cold 
water. 

A  delay  of  an  hour  occurred  at  the  bank  of  this 
creek,  as  not  all  of  the  Indians  could  swim  and  the 
boys  were  unwilling  to  leave  any  of  them  behind.  The 
three  young  braves  were  positive  that  the  other  party 
could  not  be  far  in  advance  now,  and  were  eager  to 
cross  to  the  other  side.  At  last  this  crossing  was 
made  by  means  of  a  log  they  found  farther  up  the 
stream,  and  which  they  brought  down  for  the  use 
of  the  Indians. 

It  did  not  take  long,  when  once  they  were  on  the 
opposite  bank,  to  find  again  the  trail  they  had  lost  for 
a  time,  and  they  pushed  on  as  rapidly  and  as  quietly 
as  they  were  able.  At  last  when  they  stopped  to  rest, 
and  to  eat  the  few  roasted  acorns  they  had  in  their 
pockets,  it  was  decided  that  Captain  Jim,  with  one  of 
the  Indian  braves,  should  go  on  in  advance  for  a  time, 


Jk.  — 


;s 

>ne  in  a  direct 
irection  oppo- 
d  taken;  but 
,  and  at  night 
I  signs  of  the 

declared  that 
de.  But  how 
IOCS  anywhere 
p  for  them  to 
t  believe  that 

in  such  cold 

s  bank  of  this 
swim  and  the 
I  behind.  The 
;he  other  party 
were  eager  to 
i  crossing  was 
'arther  up  the 
1  for  the  use 

y  were  on  the 
ley  had  lost  for 
and  as  quietly 
stopped  to  rest, 
y  had  in  their 
.m,  with  one  of 
mce  for  a  time, 


TUB  SEARCH  FOR  JOSIAH 


153 


^a  then  .tan.  ana  .po.to  '^  ^;;^:::; 
covered.    He  appc»«l  ^  '»  "»  "?  ^  „ 

^turned  and  brought  «ord  that  the  pa.  J  ^      B 

>„.  ea„,p  ahout  «  "■'•"^;  — ^r  with  the 

three  Indiana  and  t™"  f  I»^^f  ;^   «      ^.j,  «  he 

Britteh  soldier,  were  st.ll  there,  l.e      P^ 

l«d  not  teen  able  to  see  anyth..^  of  Jc^^  ,  ^ 

he  was  eonfident  that  he  was  «"*  j"™    "^ 

found  traces  of  his  footprinJ»  "U  *e  «^  ^^ 

What  should  now  -«  *°™  ^  J'^  L/upon  the 
the  darkness  eame  on  and  ■»»"«»  ,„ 

othe«  when  *«,  w«e  unsus^c.ous^J  _^^_P,^  ^^^^ 

lldt^^irrUelMence^  their  ahiUt.  to 

.  part  of  the  ™2;rg:tadv:eecarefully. 
ca.np,  at  any  rate,  and  they  oeg 

No  eat  could  have  been  ™-,f' ;^"  '  .t^i-  ^ 
listen. 


Qi   ! 


154 


TBCUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


Captain  Jim  was  positive  that  the  other  j-arty  was 
not  suspicious  of  their  presence,  and  consequently  he 
was  much  bolder  than  the  boys  and  urged  them  to  ad- 
vance more  rapidly.  At  last  they  all  could  catch  an 
occasional  gleam  of  the  camp  fire,  and  knew  that 
they  were  coming  near  the  place  they  were  seeking. 

It  was  not  like  Indians  to  build  such  a  fire  as  they 
saw  before  them,  and  they  knew  that  the  white 
men  must  have  kindled  it.  They  stopped  j.or  a  few 
moments  to  rest  and  to  deliberate  about  their  further 
actions.  They  made  no  fire  themselves,  as  they  knew 
that,  although  the  wind  was  blowing  in  their  di- 
rection, the  other  Indians  would  be  quick  to  see 
it ;  but  when  an  hour  had  passed  they  decided  to  start 
on  again,  and  increasing  their  carefulness  they  made 
their  way  silently  nearer  the  camp  and  soon  arrived 
at  a  place  from  which  they  could  look  down  upon 
the  scene  before  them. 

The  boys  were  excited  now,  but  the  young  Indians 
were  as  calm  as  when  they  had  first  started  on  the 
march.  None  of  the  party  spoke,  and  all  stood  for 
some  minutes  gazing  down  upon  the  strange  sight 
which  the  camp  before  them  presented. 


IS 


JOSIAH'S  MESSAGE 


155 


ler  }-iirty  was 
isequently  he 
cl  them  to  atl- 
ould  catch  an 
id  knew  that 
were  seeking, 
a  fire  as  they 
at  the  white 
ped  j.or  a  few 
;  their  further 
as  they  knew 
in  their  di- 
quick  to  see 
icided  to  start 
;s8  they  made 
soon  arrived 
It  down  upon 

'oung  Indians 

tarted  on  the 

all  stood  for 

strange  sight 


CHAPTER  XVI 

JOSIAH'S  MESSAGE 

mHE  sight  upon  which  the  boys  looked  stirred  thcdr 
Til  and  inspired  somethingof  a  feeUngoHea 
^^      XT    r.  HiP  fire  the  three  white  men  lay  last 
V'      ^rotldl  their  forms  and  faces,  and 
asleep.     Ihey  coum  ac  shadows  over 

""xt^rXe  that  his  feet  and  hand,  were  bound, 
J^^ntly  he  also  was  asleep.  Evidently  none 
^iTTdX  suspicions  of  the  presence  of  enennes, 

tr::Tz  — «>.- r;:a::rori: 

formed  them  of  the  proximity  of  the  party 

^ri^eieret^e  boys  advanced  nearer  the 

.        ^  To^  who  now  was  greatly  excited,  stepping 
fire,  -^\Tom  who  now  w     g      ^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^^^ 

Z:::T.t:^^^  in  endeavormg  .  recover 


JiS 


^t^^^igi^rrmiim^jltojlim**'**  • 


m 


TKCUMSEII'S  YOUNG  BKAVES 


ri! 


himself,  imide  a  iioiso  which  at  onco  aroused  all  the 
sleeping  men. 

The  Indian  who  was  acting  as  guard  at  once  jumped 
to  his  feet,  and  threw  over  the  smouldering  fire  a  lot 
of  wood  which  for  a  time  deadened  the  flame. 

Tom  and  Jerry  were  undecided  for  a  moment  as  to 
what  was  best  to  be  done.  Should  they  shoot  ?  They 
could  hardly  bring  themselves  to  the  point  of  shooting 
men  who  were  helpless  before  them.  It  wa-s  true 
their  own  hearts  had  been  greatly  moved  by  the 
fiendish  work  of  the  Indians  at  Fort  Minis,  but  this 
feeling  had  been  more  than  balanced  by  the  murders 
which  the  white  men  had  committed  at  Auttose. 
Yet  they  were  not  at  all  sentimental.  They  knew 
that  in  war  harsh  measures  at  times  were  xxot  only 
necessary  to  protect  themselves,  but  to  gain  an  ad- 
vantage over  their  enemies.  If  they  were  not  prompt 
in  their  own  actions,  they  were  well  aware  that  all 
the  advantage  would  be  with  the  other  side. 

While  the  boys  were  deliberating  about  these 
matters,  and  hesitating  as  to  their  course  of  action, 
the  young  braves,  who  were  not  moved  by  any  of  the 
scruples  and  fears  of  their  wliite  companions,  quickly 
brought  their  guns  to  their  shoulders,  and  two  of 
them  fired. 

The  sound  of  their  guns  roused  the  boys  again,  and 
they  looked  to  see  whether  any  harm  had  befallen 
their  hunter  friend. 


.-^'^f^ 


mm 


JOSIAH'S  MESSAGE 


157 


ouscd  uU  the 

;  once  jumped 
ring  fire  a  lot 
lame. 

moment  as  to 
ihoot  ?  Tliey 
it  of  shooting 

It  wius  true 
loved  by  the 
[ims,  but  this 
y  the  murders 

at  Auttose. 

They  knew 
v^ere  not  only 
)  gain  an  ad- 
re  not  prompt 
ware  that  all 
side. 

about  theae 
rse  of  action, 
by  any  of  the 
iiions,  quickly 
I,  and  two  of 

oys  again,  and 
I  had  befallen 


.Look  out  for  Jo«iah,"  «>id  Jerry  >..  a  lo«  v  J 
to  Captain  Jim,  and  they  again  lookcl  carefa% 
to„ard»   tlie  camp  to  »oe  whether  any  damage  had 

•*:  tZ  arl  from  »on.e  one  who  .^  been  hit,  but 
all  ave  of  our  friends  were  afraid  to  oome  out  mto 
the  light.  They  eaught  the  sound  of  men  runnmg 
rll.e  eamp,  but  whether  they  ha>l  done  more  than 
f^k  the  shelter  of  the  wood,,  or  were  trymg  to  eome 
Tthe  rear  of  the  advancing  party,  they  could  not 

*Ty"deeided  to  retain  the  position  they  held 
and  await  further  development..  The  ™t'"«  "»» 
Lr  most  difficult  task,  for  the  time  dragged  on 
so  slowly,  and  their  own  hearta  were  so  filled  w  th 
a  that  the  stirring  of  the  ^w  dead  leaves  on  the 
bmnchcs  often  made  them  start  as  if  some  hidden 
foe  was  advancing  upon  them.  .      ,     .  , 

Wa.  Josiah  still  in  the  camp?  The  fresh  wood 
had  soon  caught  fire  and  the  blaze  illuminated  all  the 
camp,  and  they  could  see  plainly  the  entire  p  ace_^ 

uNo,he's  not  there,"  whispered  Jerry.  "I  tok 
they  must  have  carried  him  away  with  them. 

u  Yes  I  thought  I  saw  a  couple  of  white  men  cut 
his  thongs,  and  start  off  with  him  right  after  our  guus 

were  fired,"  said  Tom. 

But  nei;her  of  the  boys  dared  to  approach  the  camp 
aa  yet,  or  come  out  into  the  Ught,  and  so  all  five  of 


J^ 


158 


TECUMSEirS   YOUNG   BRAVES 


t 

i 


the   party    remained  in   the  same  cramped  positions 
which  they  had  Iteen  liolding. 

The  fire  flickered  and  started  up,  and  then  it  died 
down,  tlu-owing  such  fantastic  slui(h)W8  all  alwut, 
that  more  than  once  they  were  certain  the  Indians  or 
the  white  men  had  returned  to  the  camp,  and  were 
about  to  advance  against  the  foe  that  had  so  unex- 
pectedly fired  at  them. 

Captain  Jim  was  certain  that  the  Indians  would  not 
come  back,  and  while  the  l)oy8  well  knew  that  he  wiw 
more  familiar  with  the  traits  of  Indian  character,  and 
the  customs  and  habits  of  his  own  people,  than  they, 
yet  they  were  by  no  means  as  jiositive  that  the  party 
would  not  return  as  were  the  young  braves. 

The  only  thing  they  could  do  for  a  time  was  to 
wait,  and  they  remained  in  their  hiding-places  till 
their  arms  and  legs  ached,  and  they  were  more  weary 
than  they  would  have  been  if  they  had  been  marching 
many  miles. 

Would  the  morning  never  come  ?  It  seemed  to  them 
as  if  enough  time  had  been  consumed  to  make  up  two 
or  three  nights,  and  their  fears  increased  the  strain  to 
such  a  degree,  that  when  at  last  there  began  to  be  a 
few  faint  streaks  of  light,  they  were  almost  unable 
to  move.  As  the  light  increased,  U\e  boys  looked 
cautiously  out  from  their  places  of  -.oncealment  and 
soon  could  discern  one  body  strrcchcd  jpon  the 
ground  near  the  ashes  where  the  fud  had  been. 


.lOSIAIl'S   MKa8A(}K 


I.M) 


aped  positions 

I  then  it  died 
ws  all  ulx)ut, 
the  Indians  or 
amp,  and  were 
had  so  unex- 

[ians  would  not 
ew  that  he  was 

character,  and 
•pie,  than  they, 
that  the  party 
raves. 

a  time  was  to 
ling-places  till 
jre  more  weary 

been  marching 

seemed  to  them 
to  make  up  two 
ed  the  strain  to 
began  to  be  a 
I  almost  unable 
tie  boys  looked 
onc^alment  and 
ihcd  jpon  the 
e  had  been. 


J  imn  t,fc  \"»  knito  »"''  ■='"  ^''"  """'''  ''°"' 

-^vUatU.  young  Mian  w..Join^ 

"So  it  dcKW  mo,    repUeil  Ji-iry,  .p„i;,,,it 

„„lv  thi-ir  way  of  doing  tlunga,  I  »uW>o»o.     To  J  in. 
tXl  «.y  «™e  than  putting  a  buUet  u.  an,au 

''i;:;:f"tuc  cho»t.w, ....  ..«»«„  to  «„>*«. 

C  "ek  rebellion,  and  they  we«=  "urprael    tat  t  ,e 
'  t  they  l,ad  „ain,  ov  .thev  "J-^         ^'"• 

"  «.*  »..ould  '- !— :,  t   t^tate.  when 
"«>prved  him  right,     saiu   io»> 

give  them  any  ciewiw  t  vuoved  when  so 

:,.  i„  wtat  direction  the  pvrty     j  "  ^^ 


» ^'J-" 


W(»-^*l^    4 


s«uMMMl>«M«*«H|N 


tm 


TEciTMSKiis  yoi:no  nnAVES 


tlio  oDtiic  Jiaiiy  liiul  luiuli!  ofl'  us  mi>i(lly  iiM  they  could 
j((),  tiikiiij^  tluiir  iirisoiuir  with  tlicin. 

"  I Iclh)  I  "  Hiiiil  .Icny  u  moment  hiter,  "  what's  this ? " 
lie  stooped  and  pit^lied  up  a  piece  of  hrowu  paper  on 
which  it  Heenied  to  liim  some  stningo  ciiaractein  had 
been  written. 

His  words  brought  his  brotlier  to  his  side,  and  Tom 
exchiimeil,  "That's  something  .losiah  Ujft  beliind  him. 
I  don't  see  just  liow  ho  couhl  have  done  it,  for  when 
wo  saw  him,  his  hands  were  tied  iMjhind  him. 

"  He's  written  it,"  said  Jerry,  "with  a  burnt  stick. 
I  can't  just  make  out  the  words,  can  you?" 

"  Let  me  take  it,"  said  his  brother,  and  ho  had  just 
stretched  forth  his  hand  to  grasp  tho  paper,  which 
they  conjectured  .losiah  had  left  Ixihind,  when  an 
arrow  suddenly  whizzed  past  their  heads  and  buried 
itaelf  in  the  arm  of  one  of  the  young  bmves. 

They  waited  for  no  further  demonstration,  but  at 
once  turned  and  ran  in  tho  direction  from  which  they 
had  come,  and  did  not  stop  until  a  half  mile  lay  be- 
tween them  and  the  camp.  The  young  Indian  had 
been  running  with  them,  and  they  had  not  noticed, 
until  they  came  to  a  halt,  that  the  arrow  was  yet  in 
his  arm. 

Captain  Jim  and  Jerry  both  took  hold  of  the  shaft 
and  drew  it  out.  The  young  brave  never  flinched 
during  this  operation,  although  they  knew  he  must 
be  weak  from  loss  of  blood,  and  was  suffering  great 


■Hill [tmrntrnm 


iiM  tliuy  could 


what's  tluH?" 
)\vii  paper  on 
liaractuix  had 


lidf,  and  Tom 
t  holiind  him. 
e  it,  for  when 

him. 

fi  burnt  stick. 

1?" 

d  ho  had  just 

pap(!r,  vvliich 
nd,  when  an 
ds  and  buried 

bnives. 
ration,  but  at 
m  which  they 
[f  mile  lay  be- 
g  Indian  had 
I  not  noticed, 
)W  was  yet  in 

1  of  the  shaft 
lever  flinched 
cnew  he  must 
uffering  great 


JOSIAirS   MKSSAOE 


m 


j„i,.    They  bound  up  his  una  aHln.st  they  could  and 

then  startod  on  again.  „ 

..  W.-  ,uu,t  K,.t  uw,.y  f..,n  thi«  »»  fat  »  "  e  "■ 
„.U1  Ton,.    "  'nu.,,.'.  "o  knnwi.,«  Ww  nmuy  ."C"  .>»y 
iHi  on  onr  Iniil  witlii"  »  I'""  I""""    . 
.'  Hut  wluTc  «li,iU  w.^  1?"  ?  ■•  •»'<"1  •''■"T- 
..  I  don't  .,uv,"  .Hi.l  Ton, ;  •'  an)  wl,.,o  .u„  „nyl,ow. 
.,  I'n,  „-  wo  «..t  out  of  U,i.  region,"  nml  thoy  nil 

"Cy';i,3'"no.l,.rl,.Un,nol.t«cnthem,,nd 

ey  tri  ,1  to  .lo.il>:«  tin-  -'.""««  '■"-■»■'""  "";•: 
Sal,  Of  tl,o  writing  w,«  l,i»)  Lad  wvitteu  upon  tl,o 

"Tu',r-^ef™nJo«ial,."™l...Ten;y,"Inever 

saw  any  of  his  writing  l«^»^^  ""''  >'  "„»  ,»  a  .ample 
of  it  I  l,op„  I  shan't  «eo  any  of  it  again  very  soon. 

K„,  some  ti„,e  lx,tl,  ls,y»  worked  over  the  stmnge- 
luoking  .nessage,  an.l  at  l,.t  we,.  e„,.l,le.l  to  dec.pher 
,n,M  of  the  eharacte,^  which  .los,,,!,  had  wr,t  en 

"  ,i»  writing,"  said  To,n,  "looks  like  a  wlnrlw.nd 

in  .Ust,«.    I  don't  helieve  he  eonld  ,nake  wo«e- 

looking  letters  if  he  tried."  ,     ,     i      „f 

.I'm  not  troubled  half  so  much  about  the  looks  of 

the  letten»  ^  I  am  in  trying  to  find  out  what  it  w.^ 

that  he  wanted  us  to  know,"  said  his  brother ;  but  at 

:t  as  pe^everance  will  accomplish  almost  anything 

even  the  deciphaing  of  letters,  as  strange  as  those 


a^fsssi^sssi^ 


Ml 


t 


162 


TECUMSEH'8  YOUNG  BRAVES 


the  boys  found  upon  the  paper,  wiis  accomplished. 
Either  the  message  had  been  pui-posely  left  at  the 
camp,  or  else  abandoned  in  the  hasty  flight  which  had 
taken  place  when  the  young  Indians  had  fired  the 
shots.  As  soon  as  they  had  made  out  the  message 
the  boys  looked  into  each  other's  face  with  something 
of  dismay  written  there. 

"  That  changes  every  one  of  our  plans,"  aid  Tom. 
"  It  does,  if  we  do  what  he  suggests,"  replied  Jerry. 
"But  there's  nothing  else  to  be  done,"  said  his 
brother. 

"  No ;  that's  so,  if  we  are  cei"tain  that  Josiah  wrote 
these  words.  I  don't  know  whether  he  can  write  or 
not." 

"  Oh,  he  yan  write ;  I  know  he  can,  for  I  remember 
some  letters  he  sent  father,  and  they  were  written 
just  about  as  well  as  this  one  we've  just  read." 

"  I  hope  it  didn't  take  father  as  long  to  make  it 
out  as  it  did  us,  for  if  it  did,  Josiah  might  a  good 
deal  better  have  brought  his  word  himself  and  saved 
time.  He  could  have  come  from  T^ensacola  two  or 
three  times  while  father  was  trying  to  make  out  what 
he  had  written  in  any  one  of  his  letters." 

"  Well,  I'm  sure  this  is  from  Josiah,  and  we've  got 
to  act,  and  act  right  away." 

"  All  right,"  said  his  brother,  "  we'll  chance  it  any- 
way ;  but  the  first  thing  we  want  to  do  is  to  get  away 
from  this  region  about  as  fast  as  we  can  go,  and  if 


'!TJT"^ — 


N&^^^MpM*' 


ccomplished. 
'  left  at  the 
it  which  had 
vd  fired  the 
the  message 
;h  something 

"  >nid  Tom. 
eplied  Jerry, 
le,"  said  his 

Josiah  wrote 
can  write  or 


JOSIAH'S  MESSAGE 


163 


we  come  to  our  journey's  end. 

E^^aently  the  t™.e  «  --   -J^'^.^^,  ,,ey 
having  eaten  a  few  of  the  ro  ^^  ^.^^.^ 

noon. 


r  I  remember 
were  written 
read." 

y  to  make  it 
night  a  good 
ilf  and  saved 
lacola  two  or 
lake  out  what 

md  we've  got 

jhance  it  any- 
s  to  get  away 
;an  go,  and  if 


■  «*:''! 


...  ,i>,in»i>i 'W  'V 


164 


TBCUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


'If 


CHAPTER   XVII 


JEBRY    DEPARTS 


rriHE  boys  had  been  unable  to  decipher  all  the  words 
■^  in  the  message  which  so  strangely  had  been  left 
for  them  at  the  camp.  It  was  evident  that  Josiah  had 
concluded  that  his  young  friends  would  not  abandon 
him,  and  had  expected  that  some  effort  would  be 
made  soon  for  his  release.  How  he  had  been  enabled 
to  write,  or  where  he  had  obtained  the  paper,  the 
boys,  of  course,  could  not  tell,  but  they  had  been  able 
to  read  enough  of  the  strange-looking  words  to  in- 
form them  that  General  Claiborne  and  his  army  were 
near  Limestone  creek. 

This  was  a  far  different  location  from  the  one  for 
which  they  had  started,  and  in  which  they  had  ex- 
pected to  find  the  general  and  his  men.  If  the  words 
were  true,  it  completely  changed  the  direction  of  their 
journey,  and  it  was  with  many  misgivings  they  finally 
decided  to  make  a  trial  of  the  suggestion  that  Josiah 
had  given  them. 

Should  they  at  onco  penetrate  this  region  and  seek 
the  general  in  this   unexpected  place?    They 


I  seek  I 

werr  I 


-  -n;««v*,»!WL»'-"'"r" 


JERRY  DEPARTS 


165 


ill  the  words 
ad  been  left 
t.t  Josiah  had 
not  abandon 
rt  would  be 
been  enabled 
le  paper,  the 
ad  been  able 
words  to  in- 
is  army  were 

the  one  for 
they  had  ex- 
If  the  words 
jtion  of  their 
8  they  fmally 
L  that  Josiah 

ion  and  seek 
They 


seek  I 

werr  I 


bearers  of  a  mmage  for  him  from  Fort  M^ltoon  »nd 
wTed,  it  «a.  for  L  very  purfK^e  they  had  left  that 

'""^  What  can  Claihome  he  doing  up  by  Limestone 
oreek  ?  "  said  Jeny,  a»  they  stopped  at  tat  to  r^^ 

"  I  euppose  he's  after  redskins,"  said  Ton^     J™  . 
know  th!y  said  down  at  Fort  MadUon  that  Cla.borne 
tr-t  saLed  with  acting  on  the  defense  on^  ^ 
more,  and  that  he  planned  to  have  a_sha.-e  m  this  cam 
paign  as  well  as  Jackson  or  Coffee.  __ 

"Yes  that  may  be  the  explanation  of  it  all,  said 
Jerry":  nd  he's  not  so  far  away,  if  he's  where  Josu.h 
Zi«  ».  that  we  shall  lose  very  much  iime  on  oui 
Z  even  if  we  should  find  that  the  report  is   alse. 

They  had  ventured  to  kindle  a  Are  and  cooked  the 
bird'  whteh  the  young  Indians  had  shot  with  thei 
^™„  for  none  of  them  dared  to  use  their  guns,  ^ 
rrknew  if  General  Claiborne  were  near  it  won  d 
Tml  that  many  lurking  Indian.  wouU  not   « 
far  away.      Tecumseh's   young  braves    wel     kne« 
L  Ze  which  had  been  indicated  in  the  letter  of 
jimi  they  undertook  to  lead  the  others  to  it 
xCal^ndon  J  everything  like  ataaten  t^ik,  ^4 
started  out  in  directions  that  to  the  boys  were  new 
r^ftrange;  but  they  had  such  confl-lj-n^^ 
abiUty  of  their  Indian  companions  to  find  *<"' ^^ 
tougi"  the  forest,  tliat  they  trusted  them  impl  citly 
Sowed  withoutaword,eveu  though  manytimes 


T'fiiwi 


rtil  ir 


1G6 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


m 


it  seemed  to  them  they  were  going  in  a  direction 
opposite  to  the  one  they  themselves  would  have  taken, 
if  they  liad  been  left  to  their  own  resources. 

"  It's  strange  how  Captain  Jim  can  find  his  way," 
said  Jerry.  "  Josiah's  pretty  good  at  picking  his 
way  through  the  woods,  but  he's  not  to  be  mentioned 
with  these  young  Indians." 

"It  just  seems  to  be  born  in  them,"  said  Tom. 
"  It's  a  kind  of  a  second  nature.  They  can  find  their 
way  among  the  trees  as  well  as  wliite  men  can  along 
the  streets  of  a  big  town  like  Mobile." 

But  there  was  little  inclination  for  conversation  on 
the  part  of  either  of  the  boys,  as  the  journey  was  a 
difficult  one,  and  often  led  through  swamps  and  over 
rough  ground.  Steadily  all  the  day  they  kept  on, 
stopping  only  for  occasional  rests  or  when  Captain 
Jim,  who  was  the  leader,  became  suspicious  of  the 
presence  of  Indians. 

They  had  but  little  food  with  them,  and  they 
depended  largely  upon  such  things  as  they  could 
secure  on  their  journey.  They  were  almost  afraid  to 
kindle  a  fire,  and  when  they  did,  it  was  only  to  have 
just  enough  to  roast  the  birds  they  shot,  and  then  it 
was  at  once  smothered. 

The  young  braves  seemed  to  be  fearful  that  they 
were  pursued,  though  just  why  they  suspected  this 
they  did  not  explain;  but  the  boys  knew  enough 
of  the  habits  of  the  Indians  to  be  well  aware  that  the 


mnm_ 


j_i»ljfljii|i)i.i:«iH,i»n 


JERRY  DEPARTS 


167 


a  direction 
have  taken, 

d  his  way," 
picking  his 
I  mentioned 

said  Tom. 
in  find  their 
ti  can  along 

irersation  on 
lurney  was  a 
ips  and  over 
ey  kept  on, 
len  Captain 
3ious  of  the 

a,  and  they 
1  they  could 
est  afraid  to 
only  to  have 
■j,  and  then  it 

'ul  that  they 
iispected  this 
raew  enough 
ware  that  the 


.^..hichhadheenshot^tth^nwl^^^^ 

gone  to  the   camp   where   they  ^^^  I  ^^^_ 

Lter,  indicated  that  some  of  ^^^^   ,^^ 

pHsed  there  ^J^J:^^:,.y  were  cer- 
had  been  in  control  of  the  "^^^  ^^  ^,,,a 

tain  that  they  would  carefully  examme  th 
would  at  once  know  how  many  were  m  the  pa   y 
what  its  character  was.  ,  ^^^^^ 

Accordingly  they  ;^-*  J^tgtpUhem  steadily 
the  fe.u-  of  pu«mt,and  '■^J^^J^  „„,„  that  it 
on  their  way,  even  after  they  '»«'™  ^,,„„e 

-r  *:%"  r  h^tatC  too  »«^t  he 

another  step.    He  ftoug  .„^  h„d  shot 

ti«d  ui»n  ae  suddenly  m  ™"  ™  J.  ^     „„e,  and 
.t  Jodah',  captor,  w-  l^^]^Z  L  calU  of 

rT::ZZ:T^y^^^^  *en.  fo«a.d. 
Captain  Jim,  wno  wiw  j  ^^  ^^^ 

;^''-^nir.:f:tet7t;t'f:n>  the  wind 

of  a  small  hill  wnicn  p  ^^^j. 

and  ..nnished  *-;  ^^^ugh     «  one  of  the  ,nany 
the  river  they  would  have  sougn 

e.,«  which  the  I-^i-^J^^^at^cotlal  by  a 

'°"^*  roflnrxtett^  '->»'•»*  P"'^"^- 
r;St:lh:«renotdug.farfron.ther.veras 

the  campi..g-plaee  of  our  l»jm. 

The  next  day  they  resumed  their  journey,  v       J 
on^l  mo.  HHMly  than  they  W  gone  on  the  pre 


168       TECUMSEH'S  YOUNO  BRAVES 

ceding  day.  Soon  after  noon  Captain  Jim,  who  was 
in  advance  as  usual,  suddenly  raised  his  hand  in 
warning,  and  the  entire  party  immediately  halted. 
He  turned  towards  them,  and  beckonhig  with  his 
hand,  indicated  his  wish  for  them  all  to  advance  to  . 
the  place  where  he  was  standing. 

-  Claiborne  there,"   said  Captain  Jim  laconically, 
pointing  tr,  a  place  ihey  all  could  see  now. 

"That  must  be  so,"  said  Jerry ;  -  but  wliat  a  place 

he's  made." 

There  was  a  strange-looking  stockade  at  least  two 
hundred  feet  square,  which  had  been  built,  and  tliey 
could  also  see  three  block-houses  and  a  half-moon  bat- 
tery  that  commanded  the  rear.     They  did  not  know 
then,  what  they  learned  soon  after,  that  this  defence 
had  been  built  by  General  Claiborne  himself,  who  had 
pushed  across  the  country  to  the  Alabama  with  tliree 
hundred  volunteers,  some  dragoons  and  mditia,  and  a 
band  of  Choctaw  Indians.     These  Indians,  the  young 
braves  informed  the  l)oys,  were  led  by  Pushainataha 
and  Mushullatubba. 

General  Claiborne  had  crossed  1 '  Alabama  on  the 
seventeenth  r,f  November,  althougli  our  boys  were  in 
ignorance  of  his  movements,  and  on  the  twenty-eighth 
had  been  joined  by  the  third  regiment  of  the  national 
troops,  which  Colonel  Gilbert  Russell  was  command- 
ing This  stockade  and  fort,  which  the  boys  now 
beheld,  was   intended   as   a  place  where   provisions 


■S^Ba^ffiJi^BiiEs 


^{f^^'f 


,1,  who  was 
8   hand   in 
ely  halted. 
T  with   his      , 
advance  to    . 

laconically, 

rliat  a  place 

it  least  two 
lit,  and  they 
If-moon  bat- 
d  not  know 
this  defence 
elf,  who  had 
la  with  tliree 
nilitia,  and  a 
IS,  the  young 
Pushainataha 

ibama  on  the 
hoys  were  in 
iwenty-eighth 
:  the  national 
(ras  command- 
bhe  boys  now 
ire   provisions 


JERRY  DEPARTS 


169 


,   f      ^h^  Tennessee  troops   General 
-""•  '«  '"'"'  Jls  r„  *:  norther.,  P»rt  of  the 

country.  J      „,„n,ent8  in  silence, 

Ouv  little  l»ty  »'-  y°  ;;;,  „t  .„rk  np.n  the 

watching  the  »'«"  .""'""""Jv,  „Uhe  young  braveB 

to  feel  somewhat  »1»™'^' f^*"4  Tom  and  Jeny. 
„„fear,tl>eleadw.«aton  eUk^^^^^^  ^^.^  ___^„ 

who  «uvea   the.  »"  P'"'°";     „t  „„ce  started  on, 
would  do  them  '''>}'""'■  '       „  ^yal  welcome 

and  soon  entered  the  eamp,  where         y 

,^  given  them.  ^^^  prisonera 

What  was  their  Burpnse «»  «»"  7°  f ^  „,Jtain  had 

a  Spaniard  and  -  Jf "  "t^, ^lade  a  prisoner 

'^T  "\"%^:inrn  -carrying  hi,  arm  in  a  sling. 

of  Josiah.    Ihe  inaia  ,      i„ti„g  u>  the 

and  Jerry,  turnmg  <«  Kanawh  ^„„„pii,hed 

wounded  warrior,  said;     You  see.j 

something,  a,  well  »  Ca^'^J^.-^-,,,™  nothing  as  to 

From  these  P™7?^^;>'::,  the  other  n,eml«rs  of 

what  had  heeome  of  J""^"  ""     ^  ,^ft  the  others 

their  party.    They  tlremseWes  h^  le^  ^^^  ^^^^ 

when  they  Bed  ^->«'    ^^^^^^  were  making  their 

rdro::;rnor;i:fwLhad.comeof 

the  hunter  and  their  compamons. 


0^*-^ 


-.qf^mr- 


170  TECUMSEH'8   YOUNG   BRAVKS 

"  I  don't  believe  they  know,"  said  Jerry. 

"Neither  do  I,"  replied  Tom;  "and  if  they  did 
know,  they  would  not  tell  us.  I  don't  know  what's 
the  matter  with  these  Spaniards."  ..       I 

"I  do,"  said  Jerry.  "The  mischief  with  them  is, 
that  they  want  to  stir  up  all  the  Indians  they  can,  and 
then,  by  acting  with  the  British,  they  think  there'll  be 
trouble  enough  mised  so  that  they  can  fall  on  Mobile 
when  all  the  men  have  been  taken  away  from^  there, 
farther  up  the  country,  to  fight  the  savages." 
"  T  hope  nothing  will  happen  to  mother  and  Nance," 

said  Tom  soberly. 

"So  do  I,"  replied  Jerry;  "but  I  tell  you,  Nance 
can  take  care  of  herself,  and  mother  and  the  clxildren 
too.  -  You  need  not  worry  about  her." 

"  I  know  she  can  take  care  of  herself  and  the  others 
under  ordinary  circumstances,  but  if  a  crowd  of  those 
yelling  Creeks  and  blood-thii-sty  Spaniards  should 
happen  to  fall  on  Mobile,  when  they  were  not  expect- 
ing them,  even  Nance,  brave  girl  as  she  is,  wouldn't 
be  able  to  do  anything  more  against  them  tlian  the 
people  at  Fort  Mims  could  do  against  Weatherford," 

said  Tom. 

"  But  Weatherford  is  up  in  this  part  of  the  country 
somewhere,"  said  Jerry.  "  At  least,  that's  what  they 
said  at  Fort  Madison,  and  I'm  positive  they  knew 
what  they  were  talking  about,  so  that  we've  nothing 
to  fear  from  that  quarter." 


-i* 


;*J,iS5ae&iaei2£i'''i 


JEKBY   DEPARTS 


171 


if  they  did 
know  what's 

.  •  ■  '  i 
(vith  them  is, 
they  can,  and 
ik  there'll  be 
ill  on  Mobile 
y  from  there, 
vages." 
•  and  Nance," 

11  you,  Nance 
the  children 

md  the  others 
rowd  of  those 
liards  should 
re  not  expect- 
le  is,  wouldn't 
hem  than  the 
Weatherford," 

of  the  country 
lat's  what  they 
ve  they  knew 
we've  nothing 


.  ,         '  o   a  l.iir  enouffh  contract,"   replied 

T:^ro„:x:ur:An„w,«nawe•,uee 

"'*  'V:Z  dI  hJ^^T'i  h,  1  Wg  canoe 
„„t  long  tafore  every  ma.  m  the   "J    W  ^ 

:rct:r;crj:nr-----» 
-rt::rn,:Lr:t:-.H.o..wo.eeK 

;Lr»:ri;:na^-^^;-rr:;: 

Ltery  that  had  beenJ..ct«Un  «,e  e  r  ^^  ^V^^_ 
the  etoekade.  strong  »«  "  "°f '  "^  ,  ;„  December 
h„„e,  that  had  I--  ''"^f  j '^V;!'  ,va.  strong 

r;'tore::dtrfo^;o,o.penetra. 

i„g  L  the  heart  o.the  0^\^^  ^  ,^„,  „„, 

appeals  for  help  wn  ^ition.     Messengers 

him  eager  to  start  on  his   expe 

also  brought  him  the  mf  ormation  that  more       g 


Wm 


172 


TEC'^iViSEirS   YOUNG   BRAVKS 


•*f 


vessels  had  arrived  at  Pensacola  bay,  and  had 
brought  many  soldiers  and  hirge  quantities  of 
supplies  for  the  hostile  Indians.  All  this,  together 
with  the  rumors  of  the  movements  of  the  Indians, 
increased  the  eagerness  of  the  general  and  quickened 
his  preparations. 

Early  in  December  he  felt  that  it  would  be  safe  to 
leave  the  fort,  and  he  at  once  prepared  to  advance. 
To  Jerry,  who  was  to  l)e  accompanied  by  Tecumseli's 
young  braves,  he  intrusted  a  message  which  he  wished 
them  to  carry  to  General  Jackson.  This  meant  a 
long  and  difficult  journey,  but  the  boys  willingly 
undertook  the  work,  and  one  bright  day  in  the  early 
part  of  December  they  left  the  general's  quarters  t» 
start  on  their  long  journey  to  General    Jackson's 

army. 

General  Claiborne  gave  them  careful  directions, 
and  furnished  them  with  the  best  equipment  he 
could  give,  and  as  he  bade  them  good-by  he  added, 
"You  tell  General  Jackson  that  I  sympathize  with 
him  in  his  troubles,  and  I  know  something  of  his 
feelings  from  my  own  experience.  I  only  wish  I  was 
authorized  to  take  Pensacola,  that  sink  of  iniquity, 
that  depot  of  Tories  and  instigator  of  disturbances  all 
along  the  southern  frontier;  but  good-by,  and  good 
luck  to  you,"  he  called  out  to  the  boys  aa  they  left 
the  fort,  and  soon  disappeared  in  the  forest  beyond. 


•II  . 


,  and  had 
lautitios  o! 
is,  together 
he  Indians, 
1  quickened 

d  be  safe  to 
to  advance. 
Tecumseli's 
jh  he  wislied 
tils  meant  a 
ys  willingly 
in  the  early 
J  quarters  to 
il    Jackson's 

d  directions, 
juipment  he 
oy  he  added, 
ipathize  with 
ithing  of  his 
ly  wish  I  was 
I  of  iniquity, 
iturbances  all 
by,  and  good 
s  aa  they  left 
est  beyond. 


THE   PIECE  OF  CANE 


178 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

THE   PIECE   OF   CANE 

TOSIAH  FLi.  .CHER,  at  the  time  when  the  unex- 
J  pectcd  visit  had  been  made  by  his  friends  and  the 
young  Indian  braves,  had  l)een  hopeful  for  a  moment 
that  the  opportunity  for  his  release  had  come ;  but  his 
thoughts  had  received  a  rude  shock  when  one  of  the 
Spaniards  quickly  approached  him,  and  cutting  the 
thongs  that  bound  his  feet  and  hands,  roughly  or- 
dered him  to  rise  and  follow  him. 

As  Josiah  was  well  acquainted  with  the  feehngs  of 
this  Spaniard,  and  as  he  wa.  poollive  that  his  captor 
would  waste  no  words  with  him,  he  quickly  obeyed 
and  followed  him,  as  the  man  was  armed,  not 
merely  with  a  gun  on  which  a  bayonet  was  attached, 
but  with  a  knife  which  even  in  the  darkness  Josiah 
could  see,  and  without  which  few  Spaniards  at  that 
time  were  to  be  found. 

He  marched  in  advance  of  the  man,  and  a  mile  or 
more  had  been  covered  before  they  came  to  a  halt. 
Here  his  captor  stopped  and  listened  intently  for  a 
moment,  but  aa  no  sound  was  heard,  the  march  was 


13 


il  T' 


/ 


J^ 


174  TFXUMSEirS   YOUNG   BRAVES 

m.um.Ml  and  the  paoo  at  whii-h  th«y  had  Iwen  Roing 
wa..  considerably  quickened.     They  had  gom-  <-  t  a 
short  distance  when  a  sound  as  though  made  l)y  ^"n.« 
squirrtd  in  the  bushes  near  by,  onco  more  caused  him 
suddenly   to  stop  and  listen   intently.     Again    the 
sound  wa«  heard,  and  this  time  his  captor  replied  to 
it.     Two  or  three  times  the  sound,  whic*.  Josiah  then 
knew   was    a    call   of    some    kind,    aas   given   and 
ftiiswered,  and  in  the  dawn,  which  wns   rapidly  ap- 
proaching, he  soon  could  see  the  form  of  a  stalwart 
Indian  advancing. 

As  Josiah  looked  at  him  his  he;at  sank.    He  v.-'og- 
nized  the  man  as  one  of  the  noted  Creek  warriors, 
and  one   who  for  a  brief  time  had  been  with   the 
party  which  had  captured  him  on  the  preceding  day. 
The  Spaniard  and  the   Indian   immediately  entered 
into  a  convereation  which  lasted  for  half  an  hour. 
Josiah,  somewhat  familiar  with  the  language,  for  they 
spoke  in  the  Creek  tongue,  was  enabled  to  hear  many 
of  the  words,  and  those  which  he  co^Jd  distinguish 
greatly  increased  his  fear.    Again  and  again  he  heard 
the  word  "Econochaca,"  and  each  time  his  heart  sank 
at  the  sound;  but  at  last  the  cUscussion  was  ended, 
and  they  started  on  once  more,  the  Indian  also  going 

with  them. 

The  hunter  had  been  hopeful,  as  long  as  only  one 
man  was  with  him,  that  a  favorable  opportunity  would 
soon  present  itself,  and  that  he  would  be  enabled 


s>a4<fe"^.-i«'ii'««t^'f'* 


fifiia 


I  Iwen  fjoing 
gom-  •'  t  I'' 
uulo  Vjy  intun', 
)  caused  hliu 
Again    the 
or  replied  to 
I  Josiah  then 
s   given   and 
•1   rapidly  ap- 
of  a  litsilwart 

k.  He  jM-i'og- 
reek  warriors, 
een  with  the 
•receding  day. 
lately  entered 
lialf  an  hour, 
fuage,  for  they 
.  to  hear  many 
Id  distinguish 
iigain  he  heard 
his  heart  sank 
ion  was  ended, 
lian  also  going 


ig  as  only  one 
(ortunity  would 
lid  be  enabled 


I 


J 


V«>.  •  w; 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TI:ST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.8 


11-25  11.4   ii.6 


y 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Coiporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  l^istorical  Microreproductions  /  institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


«5- 


THE  PIECE  OF  CANE 


175 


somehow  to  escape  ;  but  with  two  sucli  men  near  him, 
he  knew  how  slight  thiit  hope  wius  now,  and  how 
unlikely  it  would  be  that  he  could  overcome  them 
l)oth,  or  escape  the  close  attention  which  they  con- 
stantly gave  him. 

The   party   went  on   swiftly  and   in   silence,  and 

Josiah  was  familiar  enough  with  the  region  through 

which    they    were  journeying    to   know  they    were 

rapidly  approaching  the  river;  but  the  word  which 

he   had  overheard   the   Indian   use   so   many  times, 

"  Econochaca,"  kept  sounding  in  his  eai^s.     He  knew 

it  was  a  place  which  the  Indians  considered  as  holy 

ground,  and  strange  reports  had  been  current  of  the 

cruelty  and  the  suffering  which  were  prevalent  there ; 

but  his  captors  gave  him  no  time  to  meditate   over 

the  possibilities  of  the  dangers  he  might  encounter 

when  once  they  had  arrived  at  the  "holy  ground" 

(if  that  was  to  be  their  destination),  and  steadily  kept 

up  the  pace  which  they  had  set  at  the  beginning  of 

their  march. 

There  was  an  occasional  halt  made,  and  the  Indian 
would  listen  intently  as  if  he  was  expecting  new 
arrivals  or  was  suspicious  of  some  approaching 
danger.  The  parched  acorns  furnished  the  only  food 
they  had,  but  with  unflagging  zeal  they  steadily  held 

to  their  march. 

At  one  time  there  was  a  warm  dispute  between  the 
Spaniard  and  the  Indian,  of  which  Josiah  knew  him- 


-<• 


176 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


self  to  be  the  cause.  Evidently  the  Spaniard  was 
desirous  of  ridding  himself  at  once  of  the  presence  of 
the  hunter,  and  wished  to  put  him  out  of  the  way 
immediately ;  but  to  this  the  Indian  would  not  give 
his  consent,  and,  as  he  evidently  was  a  man  of  great 
influence,  and  one  whose  good  opinion  this  Spaniard 
was  desirous  of  holding,  the  proposal  was  refused,  and 
they  steadily  kept  on  their  way  towards  the  place  they 
were  seeking. 

Several  hours  passed  in  this  mannei',  and  soon  the 
suspicions  that  Josiah  had  had  that  they  were  making 
their  way  towards  the  river  were  confirmed,  and  he 
caught  occasional  glimpses  through  the  trees  of  the 
water ;  but  they  did  not  halt  until  they  had  arrived  at 
the  bank  of  the  stream,  where  once  more  an  earnest 
and  animated  conversation  took  place  between  his 
two  captors.  Josiah  could  not  hear  many  of  their 
words,  and  yet  it  was  evident  that  the  Indian  was 
trying  to  explain  something  to  his  companion,  and 
,  was  insisting  with  a  good  deal  of  earnestness  that 
his  own  scheme  should  be  carried  out. 

^At  last  the  Spaniard  appeared  to  be  satisfied,  and 
as  soon  as  his  consent  had  been  received,  the  Indian 
departed,  going  swiftly  up  the  bank  of  the  river  and 
leaving  them  where  they  were.  They  both  seated 
themselves  now,  the  Spaniard  holding  his  gun  in 
such  a  position  that  he  could  quickly  use.  it  if  the 
occasion    demanded,  and  Josiah  became  somewhat 


I 


/rjffj^t^^j,:-:;-rxj,s    -» ,  i«i».-j.vi«»it^»jM^.^^^ 


paniard  was 
I  presence  of 
of  the  way 
ikl  not  give 
lau  of  great 
lis  Spaniard 
refused,  and 
lie  place  they 

and  soon  the 
were  making 
med,  and  he 
trees  of  the 
ad  arrived  at 
re  an  earnest 
between  his 
any  of  their 
!  Indian  was 
opanion,  and 
tiestness  that 

satisfied,  and 
d,  the  Indian 
the  river  and 
both  seated 
;  his  gun  in 
use.  it  if  the 
ne   somewhat 


I 


THE  PIECE  OF   CANE 


177 


despondent  as   the  chances  of  his  escaping  slipped 

away. 

The  hunter  stooped  and  picked  up  a  stick,  which 
was   a  little   more  than  a  yard  in  length,  and  idly 
began  to  push  the  pebbles  down  the  bank  into  the 
river  with   it.      It  was  a  long,   light  piece  of  cane 
which  he  held  in  his  hand,  and  he  had  no  thought  of 
retaining  it,  and  yet,  had  he  known  it,  his  very  life 
Wivs  depending  upon  that  light  and  harmless  branch, 
which  he  had  taken  in  a  moment  of  thoughtlessness. 
His  companion  scarcely  noticed  it,  and  the  silence 
remained    unbroken.      The    hunter    noticed    as    he 
brought  one  end  of  the  cane  near  his  face  that  the 
piece  wa.s  hollow,  and  he  peered  through  it  at  the 
further  bank,  and  watched  the  birds  that  were  Hying 

near. 

He  did  not  know  where  the  Indian  had  gone,  but 
the  fact  that  he  and  the  Spaniard  were  resting  on  the 
bank  led  him  to  think  that  he  would  soon  return,  and 
in  this  supposition  he  was  not  deceived,  although  the 
warrior  came  back  in  a  manner  far  different  from  that 
which  Josiah  had  conceived. 

The  Spaniard  had  kept  his  attention  on  a  point  up 
the  river,  and  frequently  Josiah  followed  his  gaze 
and  found  himself  watching  and  waiting  for  some- 
thing he  knew  not  what.  Soon,  around  the  bend  of 
the  river,  he  saw  a  canoe  swiftly  coming,  and  long 
before  it  had  approached  he  recognized  its  occupant 


f 


J    OW^-f.'"?! 


178 


TECUMSEH'S   YOUNG  BRAVES 


as  the  Creek  warrior  who  had  joined  them  on  their 
march. 

He  soon  arrived  at  the  bank  where  they  were 
waiting,  and  Josiah,  following  the  command  of  the 
Spaniard,  took  his  place  in  the  canoe  with  the  other 
men.  For  some  reason,  which  he  never  could 
explain,  he  took  the  light  little  piece  of  cane,  which 
he  had  been  holding  in  his  hands,  with  him,  and 
although  the  Indian  scowled  at  first  when  he  saw 
this,  as  soon  as  he  recognized  how  harmless  it  was,  he 
paid  no  further  attention  to  it. 

The  canoe  was  heavily  loaded,  now  that  three  men 
were  in  it,  and  the  Spaniard  soon  joined  with  the  Indian 
in  using  the  paddles,  althougli  at  first  he  had  taken 
his  seat  in  the  stem,  holding  his  gun  in  readiness  for 
use  at  any  moment.  Assuredly  there  was  no  chance 
for  Josiah  to  escape  if  he  plunged  into  the  water. 
The  canoe  would  soon  overtake  him,  and  the  only 
plan  he  could  think  of  was  by  some  sudden  movement 
to  overturn  it  and  thi'ow  all  three  into  the  river,  and 
then  trust  to  his  ability  to  contend  with  both  the 
men  at  the  disadvantage  in  which  they  then  would  he 
placed.  He  thought  quite  seriously  of  this  plan  for 
some  time,  but  finally  abandoned  it  as  being  hopeless, 
and  more  and  more  resigned  himself  to  the  fate  which 
he  feared  wtis  to  be  his. 

The  canoe  was  kept  near  the  shore,  and  evidently 
both  men  were   fearful,   though   of  just   what  they 


[ 


jm  on  their 

they  were 
land  of  the 
h  the  other 
lever  could 
cane,  which 
h  him,  and 
hen  lie  saw 
88  it  was,  he 

t  three  men 
;h  the  Indian 
e  had  taken 
readiness  for 
18  no  chance 
)  the  water, 
[id  the  only 
sn  movement 
lie  river,  and 
th  both  the 
len  would  he 
liis  plan  for 
ing  hopeless, 
le  fate  which 

nd  evidently 
;  what  they 


THE  PIECE  OF  CANE 


179 


were  afraid  Josiah  was  unaware.  He  watehed  them 
Thy  wielded  their  paddles,  the  Spaniard  bemg 
lost'a.  dexterous  as  the  ^^^^^^^^^^  ^'^^^^^^ 
what  a  rapid  rate  they  were  leaving  behind  them  the 
;iace  where  they  had  been,  and  drawing  nearer  to  Ue 
point  where  he  suspected  they  were  to  leave  the  river 
and  start  overland  for  Econochaca. 

Josiah  had  laid  the  piece  of  -n«  ^-h  .^^^ ^;;^ 
carried  with  him  across  Ibe  canoe,  but  lifting  it  for 
a  moment  he  brought  one  end  of  it  to  his  eye.    He 
had  known  that  it  w^  hollow,  but  as  he  brought  it 
this  time  near  his  face  he  instantly  fornied  a  plan  by 
which  he  thought  he  might  escape.      His  face  had 
Ug^Ld  up  for  the   moment,  and  the  Spaniard   who 
ut    at  that  time  turned  his  head,  noted  the  change  ; 
Lt  so  confident  was  he  of  the  inability  of  their  cap- 
tive  to  escape  them,  that  only  a  cruel  smile  passed 
Lr  his  face,  and  he  gave  no  furOier  attention  to  the 

""'Ste  suspect?   Josiah's  courage  fled  for  a  moment 
as  he  thought  of  that  possibility,  but  in  a  moment  he 
realized  how  improbable  it  w«.  that  even  a  suspicion 
of  the  plan  he  had   formed  could  have  entered  the 
Ld  of  the  whit.  man.     He  endeavored  to  resume 
his  former  calm  and  impassive  attitude,  -"^yet  ^ 
was  all  the  time  watehing  for  the  suitable  place  to  b^ 
found  in  which  he  could  put  his  plan  into  op^a  i.n^ 
Meanwhile,  mile  after  mile  was  passed,  and  now 


.SWOMiJ-H^^'.il'" 


mm  i*^—*  »  ■  — ^^iBp— » IJ  ■>  "il 


I  ^ 


i: 


180 


TECUMSEH'S   YOUNG  BRAVES 


the  Spaniard  was  beginning  to  show  signs  of  fatigue, 
although  the  Indian  wan  apparently  as  fresh  sis  wlien 
they  had  first  started.  Josiah  noticed  as  lie  glanced 
ahead  of  them  that  they  were  coming  somewhat  nearer 
the  shore,  and  from  the  bank  not  far  in  advance  of 
them,  he  saw  the  long  roots  of  a  large  tree  that  spread 
down  into  the  water  and  evidently  reached  out  for 
some  distance  into  the  river.  Some  of  the  roots  were 
near  the  surface  and  had  served  as  a  barrier  in  the 
current  of  the  river,  and  around  them  a  large  mass  of 
floating  rubbish  had  gathered. 

"That's  my  place,"  said  Josiah  to  himself,  "and  if 
I'm  ever  going  to  put  my  plan  into  operation  that's 
the  very  spot."  But  what  could  he  do  ?  He  glanced 
at  each  of  his  captors,  but  neither  was  apparently 
giving  him  any  thought  or  attention. 

The  Spaniard  was  laboring  hard  now,  and  although 
the  day  was  cool  the  perspiration  was  pouring  down 
his  face.  It  was  hard  work  for  him,  and  Josiah  was 
delighted  as  he  heard  the  Spaniard  say  to  his  com- 
panion, "  Why  don't  we  make  this  man  take  his  share 
in  the  work?  He  knows  how  to  paddle,  I'll  warrant, 
and  I  don't  think  he  should  be  carried  all  the  way. 
He  ought  to  work  his  passage,  for  I'm  nearly  worked 
out  myself." 

The  Indian  gave  a  grunt  of  assent,  which  to  Josiah 
seemed  to  imply  as  much  disgust  for  the  weakness  of 
his  companion  as  his  willingness  to  comply  with  his 


THE   PIECE  OF   CANE 


181 


IS  of  fatigue, 
resli  as  wlien 
8  lie  glanced 
Bwhat  nearer 
1  advance  of 
)  that  spread 
shed  out  for 
le  roots  were 
arrier  in  the 
arge  mass  of 

3elf,  "  and  if 

ration  that's 

He  glanced 

1  apparently 

nd  although 
uring  down 
Josiah  was 
to  his  com- 
ke  his  share 
['11  warrant, 
.11  the  way. 
uly  worked 

h  to  Josiah 
v^eakness  of 
ly  with  his 


wishes ;  but  he  withdrew  his  paddle  from  the  water 
and  waited  for  the  two  men  to  attempt  that  which 
.was  exceedingly  dangerous  in  a  light  canoe. 

The  Spaniard  had  bidden  his  prisoner  change  places 
with  him  and  take  his  turn  at  paddling.  Josiah,  with 
grout  apparent  eagerness,  had  given  his  assent,  and 
both  men  stood  up,  balancuig  themselves  in  the  canoe 
as  only  those  who  are  familiar  with  one  can  do. 

They  were  now  nearly  opposite  this  spot  in  the 
river  which  Josiah  had  noted,  where  the  long  roots  of 
the  tree  were  jutting  out  into  the  water,  and  the  rub- 
■  bish  and  scum  had  gathered.  He  saw  with  much 
satisfaction  that  this  was  more  in  quantity  than  he 
thought  when  he  first  had  noticed  it  when  they  were 
farther  down  the  stream. 

When  Josiah  had  arisen  he  had  taken  the  little  piece 
of  cane  in  his  hand,  and  as  he  turned  about  to  face  the 
Spaniard,  he  noticed  with  much  satisfaction  that  the 
latter  had  laid  his  gun  on  the  bottom  of  the  canoe. 

"  It's  just  the  place  I  wanted,"  said  Josiah  to  him- 
self, "and  they  have  furnished  me  just  the  time  I 
was  looking  for." 

He  took  a  step  forward  as  if  about  to  exchange 
places  with  his  v  ;;  tor,  when  suddenly,  and  without  a 
word  of  warning, .  all  gi-asping  the  stick  in  his  hand, 
he  turned  quickly  and  leaped  into  the  river,  and  dis- 
appeared from  the  view  of  his  companions  before 
either  of  tliem  was  fully  aware  of  what  had  happened. 


182 


TECUMSEII'S  YOUNG  HRAVE9 


CHAPTER   XIX 


J081AH  REAPPEARS 

TT  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  Josiah  took  his 
A  sudden  departure  from  his  ,con.panions  in  the 
canoe,  and  although  he  did  not  notice  it  at  the  time 
the  sun  ah-eady  mxs  low  in  the  western  sky.  AU 
this  W.VS  in  his  favor,  as  a  clear  light  would  have 
interfered  with  his  plans,  and  at  once  have  brought 

him  into  trouble.  f     t    4- 

The  startled  men,  scarcely  aware  at  fii-st  of  what 
had  happened,  were  almost  thro^vn  from  their  feet  by 
the  push  which  Josiah  gave  the  canoe  as  he  departed 
head  foremost  over  its  side.  For  a  minute  or  two  it 
seemed  ius  if  they  must  lose  their  balance,  and  that 
both,  in  spite  of  their  best  efforts,  w.>uld  be  thrown 
into  the  water,  and  there  become  companions  of  their 

prisoner. 

At  hist  the  canoe  was  righted  again,  and  as  soon  as 
they  had  regained  their  equilibrium  the  Spaniard 
reached  for  his  gun.  He  looked  up  for  a  moment  as 
he  heard  an  exclamation  of  surprise  from  his  com- 
panion, who  already  had  taken  his  gun  and  was  peer- 


J 


JOSIAII    RKAITKAUS 


183 


lah  took  his 
ions  in  the 
at  the  time, 
n  sky.  All 
would  have 
lave  brought 

fiist  of  what 
their  feet  by 
8  he  departed 
lute  or  two  it 
ice,  and  that 
hi  be  thrown 
nions  of  their 

md  as  soon  as 

the   Spaniard 

•  a  moment  as 

from  his  com- 

and  was  peer- 


ins  into  the  water  to  ftnd  .ou>e  token  of  the  ,n»enee 

°'M,it,ile  thee»noe  had  ,Wtted  out  of  ,.»  pl.ce. 

„„d  r  Indian  laid  ,»ide  hi.  gun  fo.-  a  n.on.eM, 
vWle  he  took  hi.  paddle  and  by  a  few  »'">';«•  -^ 
troke,  again  brought  it  into  l««ition.     He  had  not 

C  1 1  of  U.0  «P»t  "1.™  J-iah  had  d«ppe«red 

Z  i  they  we  di^otly  over  the  plaee  mto  wlueh 

""Xto  l^rird  held  the  gun,  while  the  Inxlian  in  the 

bow  kept  LiB  paddle  bo  that  he  could  hold  the  eanoe 

ta  tapo-ition.    Both  watched  the  water  carefully 

1    and  waited  for  the  oppovtunity  to  *»'•.»  ""J 

leZ  eertain  that  the  daring  hunter  would  qu.ekly  be 

eomnelled  to  eorae  to  the  surface  again  to  breathe 

andTl      Spaniard  had  resolved  that  that  moment 

should  1«  the  last  .Io»iaU  should  have  to  hvo. 

All  through  their  journey  he  had  1«n  des.rous  of 
putt  ng  Josfah  out  of  the  way,  but  for  some  reason 
S  the  hunter  could  not  fully  unde.tand  he  „u^ 
given  way  to  hU  eompanion,  who  appeared   U,  be 
el™"  to  have  the  prisoner  kept  for  son.e  purpoj, 

a^d  although  Josiahw^  r<c^  f^  ^ '^^Z:  X 
that  was,  he  had  been  satisfied  .t  was  one  that  prom 

'"trlL'l:  m^  in  the  eanoe,  »  they  waited, 
„b;^ldnog.im^eoftheman*.h.Uo»t™ngc^ 
left  them.     liven  the  ripples  wlneh  Ins  plunge  had 


'' 


184 


TECUMSEirS  YOUN(J  BRAVES 


inuilc   sdoii   (liHiippounMl,   and    llioro   wius  nothinj?  to 
show  that  any  oiio  wiiH  iK'iu'uth  tho  Hurfaci'. 

Thoy  waited  and  watclicd,  and  as  tlu!  nionicntH 
|)aHHc'd  they  looked  iiuiuiiingly  into  each  other's  faee ; 
hut  the  Indian  only  sliook  his  head  and  they  again 
resumed  their  watch.  They  peered  earefuUy  up  and 
down  the  stream  to  see  if  any  signs  of  the  hunter 
would  appear  there,  but  the  silence  was  unbroken  and 
the  surface  of  the  river  luidisturlted. 

Five  minutes  and  more  passed  in  this  manner,  and 
the  men,  l)ecoming  more  and  more  puzzled  eveiy 
moment,  lx3gau  to  paddle  the  canoe  slowly  up  and 
down  the  river,  looking  carefully  in  all  directions ; 
but  their  efforts  were  unrewarded,  and  they  soon  re- 
turned to  the  spot  they  had  left. 

The  Indian  now  took  his  paddle  and  l)egan  to 
scatter  the  rubbish  which  had  collected  above  the 
roots  of  the  tree,  which,  as  we  have  said,  ran  far  out 
into  the  river.  They  both  peered  into  the  water,  but 
still  their  search  wivs  fruitless. 

The  twilight  was  deepening  now,  and  every  minute 
increased  the  improbability  of  their  Ijeing  able  to 
discover  the  hiding-place  of  Josiah,  if  indeed  he  was 
hidden.  Into  the  minds  of  the  captors  —  at  least  into 
that  of  the  Spaniard  —  there  began  to  come  the  con- 
viction that  Josiah  must  have  been  drowned.  Per- 
haps he  had  struck  some  rock,  or  was  held  as  in  a 
vice  by  some  of  the  interlacing  roots.     He  thought  of 


JOHIAH   UKAIM'KAUS 


185 


nntlunj?  to 
'aci'. 

10  monu'iiUi 
)ther'«  face; 

they  again 
uUy  up  uiul 

tho  Imnti'i- 
tibroken  ami 

manner,  and 
izzled  every 
wly  up  and 
1  directions ; 
liey  soon  re- 

id  liegan  to 
I  above  the 
,  ran  far  out 
le  water,  but 

svery  minute 
iing  able  to 
deed  he  was 
-  at  least  into 
jme  the  con- 
wned.  Per- 
held  as  in  a 
[e  thought  of 


\  • 


,U  the.M.o-l.inU.s,  and  yet  he  w..  not  H.U.Kh 
lhat.I..Hiahwa.d.ad.     Hut  where  could  he  Ih3  .       Ih 
disappcaran...,  so  sud.len  and  unexpecU-d,  w.«.  not  u. 
strange  .u,  his  failure  to  rise  to  the  surface  and  agaui 

^TLtho  turned  to  his  companion  and  declared 
that  the  white  hunter  n.ust  1.  dead  and  tha  he  had 
no  doubt  that  he  had  been  drowned  long  In^fo  e  this, 
and  urged  his  companion  to  resume  their  paddling. 

A  dtsatisiied  grunt  w>.  all  the  reply  the  Ind.au 
made,  except  to  shake  his  hea.l  and  declare  that  t W 
must  wait  longer.  A  quarter  of  an  hour  p^tssed  m  this 
way  and  still  there  was  m.  sign  of  the  nnssmg  man. 

Apparently  there  was  little  use  in  remanung  where 
they  were,  and  the  conviction  deepened  m  the  w In  e 
In's    mind  that  the   hunter   was   dead,  and   the 
further  search  was  now  useless  ;  but  for  some  re.u,on 
be  Indian  w.«  the  leading  «l-\-^  ^^^f  [;^^;, 
followed  his  bidding;  hut  soon  the  chie  ,    urn mg 
about,  sent  the  canoe  towards  the  shore,  and  Bj.pp mg 
out,  iM-ckoned  to  his  friend  to  follow.    They  drew 
the  little  skiff  up  on  the  bank,  and  thenleaving  his 
companion  there,  the   Indian  went  a   litUe   farther 
dowTi  the  stream  and  took  his  station  near  the  nver 

He  stood  there  motionless  as  the  trees,  save  i^  his 
glance  ^vm  quickly  turned  now  up  and  now  do^ 
1  river.  Evidently  he  had  no  thought  of  aban- 
doning  their  search,  and  appeared  to  be  far  more 


186 


TECUMSEIl'S  YOUNG   BRAVKS 


suspicions  of  the  white  hunter's  ahility  to  remain 
alive,  even  thougli  he  was  under  the  water,  than  his 
companion  was. 

The  sun  sank  lower  and  lower.     The  deepening 
twilight   intensified  the   silence    which   rested  over 
everything,  and  wliich  was  hroken  only  by  an  occa- 
sional splash  of  some  fish  as  it  came  to  the  surface,  or 
by  the  cry  of  some  bird  slowly  making  its  way  across 
the  river.     The   chill  of  the   air  became  more  and 
more  marked  as  the  sun  disappeared,  and  the  waiting 
more  and  more  tedious,  and  the  Spaniard  grew  im- 
patient.    He  was  fully  satisfied  that  Josiah  was  dead, 
and  every  moment  spent  near  the  river  now,  to  him 
appeared  to  be  a  mere  wsiste  of  time. 
But  w.os  the  hunter  dead  ?     Let  us  see. 
Josiah  Fletcher,  in  spite  of  his  lack  of  training  in 
the  schools,  was  not  without  his  own  wisdom.     His 
long  experience  in  the  *orests,  and  his  practical  obser- 
vations, had  quickened  his  every  faculty,  until  the 
hunter  was  a  wise  man  in  the  ways  of  the  woods,  if 
not  in  the  ways  of  the  world  outside. 

He  was  always  extremely  careful  in  all  his  move- 
ments. The  many  adventures  he  had  had  with  the 
wild  beasts  and  Indians  had  made  him  quick  of 
decision  and  prompt  in  Ws  actions,  and  the  plan 
which  he  had  formed  during  their  voyage  up  the 
stream  was  as  bold  as  it  was  sudden. 

As  the  canoe  in  which  he  was  carried  a  prisoner 


f  ^ 


ty  to  remain 
itor,  than  his 

lie  deepening 
rested  over 
y  by  an  occa- 
he  snrface,  or 
ts  way  across 
me  more  and 
d  the  waiting 
tird  grew  ini- 
iah  was  dead, 
now,  to  him 

le. 

of  training  in 
wisdom.  His 
iractical  obser- 
ilty,  until  the 
the  woods,  if 

all  his  move- 
had  with  the 
him   quick  of 
and  the  plan 
oyage   up   the 

led  a  prisoner 


""■"'^" 


\ 


JOSIAH  RKAPPEARS 


187 


had  been  making  ite  way  up  the  river,  more  than  once, 
,u,  we  have  already  related,  he  had  been  tempted  to 
upset  the  entire  party,  and  trust  to  his  chances  of 
escaping  in  the  confusion  that  would  follow;  but  he 
had  held  this  as  a  last  resort,  determined  to  use  it 
only  after  everything  else  had  failed.  His  attention 
had  been  attracted,  as  we  have  seen  in  our  la^t 
chapter,  by  the  long  roots  tiiat  ran  far  out  into  the 
river  from  the  great  tree  that  grew  on  the  bank. 

He  quickly  and  carefully  estimated  how  far  out 
those  branches  extended,  and,  as  he  noted  the  quantity 
of  rubbish  which  had  been  gathered  near  the  surface, 
the  thought  had  flaslied  into  his  mind  that  the  very 
time  and  place  had  been  found  for  which  he  had  been 
waiting,  and  when  he  arose  to  change  places  with 
the  Spaniard,  and  apparently  had  been  wil  ing  to 
take  his  turn  in  wielding  the  paddle,  he  decided  that 
his  opportunity  had  arrived.  ■ 

Tightly  grasping  the  piece  of  cane,  to  which  we 
have  referred,  he  plunged  headlong  into  the  river. 
The  water  was  cold  now,  but  he  paid  little  attention 
to  the  chill  which  it  produced.  He  had  drawn  in  his 
breath,  as  he  left  the  canoe,  and  he  well  knew  how 
to  hold  it,  and  to  hold  it  longer  than  many  men  were 

able  to  do.  '  ,        ,  , .  „„j 

Down,  down  into  the  river  he  forced  his  way,  and 

then  under  the  water  swam  rapidly  towards  the  roots 

which  he  knew  he  would  find  in  the  bed  of  the 


s 


188 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG   BRAVES 


Stream.  He  quickly  came  to  these,  and  grasped  them 
with  his  hands.  He  had  a  firm  hoU,  and  yet  what 
good  would  it  all  do  him?  A  few  moments  and  he 
would  he  compelled  to  rise  to  the  surface  for  breath, 
and  the  moment  his  body  appeared,  a  shot  from  the 
gun  of  one  of  his  captors  would  at  once  put  an  end  to 
his  life.  But  was  his  scheme  a  foolliardy  one  ?  Did 
he  forfeit  a  good  chance  for  a  poor  one  ? 

Josiah  had  not  lost  his  hold  on  the  piece  of  cane, 
which  we  have  already  mentioned  several  times.     As 
he  found  that  he  had  a  firm  grasp  on  the  roots,  and 
could  easily  maintain  his  position  there,  he  held  to 
his  place  with  one  hand,  and  with  the  other  he  thrust 
the  cane  up  throu-h  the  wat«r,  fitting  one  end  to  his 
mouth.    But  would  it  reach  the  surface?    This  was 
the  fear  which  was  in  the  hunter's  heart,  and  every 
hope  of  safety  he  had,  depended  upon  the  length  of  the 
cane.    Quickly  he  thrust  the  little  hollow  branch  up 
towards  the  surface,  and  then  began  to  blow  out  the 
water  which  filled  it. 

What  a  relief  it  was !  But  the  moment  his  breath 
was  gone  it  would  be  necessary  for  him  to  draw  it  in 
again,  and  if  water  and  not  air  should  follow  the 
suction,  he  knew  his  every  chance  would  be  gone ; 
but  the  hunter's  heart  rejoiced  when  he  found  that, 
after  he  had  blown  the  water  from  the  tube,  he 
was  able  to  fill  his  lungs  with  air,  and  his  hopes  of 
escaping  increased. 


^Ijiglggligta 


grasped  them 
md  yet  what 
nents  and  he 
ce  for  breath, 
;hot  from  the 
put  an  end  to 
ly  one  ?     Did 

piece  of  cane, 
ral  times.     As 
the  roots,  and 
re,  he  held  to 
ither  he  thrust 
)ne  end  to  his 
;e?     This  was 
art,  and  every 
le  length  of  the 
low  branch  up 
3  blow  out  the 

lent  his  breath 
a  to  draw  it  in 
aid  follow  the 
ould  be  gone; 
he  found  that, 
1  the  tube,  he 
nd  his  hopes  of 


JOSIAII  REAPPEARS 


189 


Gradually  lie  lowered  the  cane  until  the  water 
began  t(j  trickle  through  it  once  more,  and  then  he 
knew  the  end  of  it  must  be  near  the  surface.  Having 
arranged  this  to  his  satisfaction,  he  held  the  cane  in 
his  mouth,  and  with  l)oth  hands  grasped  the  roots. 
The  water  was  cold,  and  in  a  few  moments  he  was 
thoroughly  chilled  and  almost  numb;  but  steadily  he 
held  to  his  position,  finding  that  he  could  breathe 
ejisily  through  the  cane,  and  he  waited  for  the  minutes 

to  pass. 

If  the  water  had  been  clear  enough,  he  could  have 
seen  the  canoe  more  than  once,  directly  over  liim; 
but  the  floating  mass  and  muddy  water  prevented  him 
from  discerning  this,  and  thereby  adde*!  +•>  his  peace 
of  mind.    The  little  piece  of    cane    ^hil•h    Josial' 
allowed  to  protrude  from  the  water  sevei  ■'  titn(  s  w;i3 
pushed  aside  by  the  paddle  of  the  Indian,    nt  ev.^n  lus 
quick-witted  mind  never  suspected  the  ability  of  the 
hunter  to  breathe  through  what  appeared  to  be  only 
a  broken  branch,  held  somehow  in  its  place.    Perhaps 
the  increasing  twilight  aided  the  hunter  in  all  this, 
but  at  any  rate  his  device  was  not  suspected,  and  the 
moments  slowly  passed. 

The  party  in  the  canoe  were  wondering  where  the 
hunter  could  be,  and  Josiah  also  was  beginning  to  be 
puzzled  .^s  to  how  long  he  could  remain  under  the 
cold  water  and  cling  to  the  roots. 

In  this  way  a  quart,  r  of  an  hour  passed,  although 


\ 


,u  Miiiiiiiii<iiii''<ii 


I 


190 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


H 


if  Josiah  had  been  asked  how  long  he  had  heen  under 
the  water,  it  is  Ukely  that  he  woukl  have  dechired 
that  some  hours  had  elapsed  since  his  plunge  ;  but  the 
increasing  numbness,  and  the  chill  which  he  was  now 
feeling,  at  Itust  convinced  him  that  he  could  maintain 
his  hold  no  longer,  and  letting  go  with  his  hands  he 
turned  upon  his  back,  and  still  remaining  under  the 
water  and  breathing  through  his  tube,  began  to  make 
his  way  down  the  stream. 

Once  or  twice  he  came  to  the  surface,  and  while  the 
slight  splash  he  made  was  noticed  by  the  watchers,  it 
was  not  sufficient  to  hold  their  attention.     At  last,  in 
one  of  these  movements,  in  spite  of  all  his  efforts,  the 
cane  filled  with  water,  and  it  was  necessary  for  Josiah 
either  to  aljandon  it  or  to  clear  it  again  ;   but  in  his 
struggles  he  was  surprised  as  his  feet  touched  the 
bottom  of  the  river.     He  knew  then  that  he  must  be 
near  the  shore,  and  (piickly  letting  the  cane  go, 
he  slowly  rose  out  of  the  water. 

How  cold  he  was  !  His  teeth  were  chattering,  and 
his  entu-e  body  was  trembling  as  with  an  ague. 
Slowly  he  moved,  rejoicing  as  he  saw  how  dim  all  the 
objects  appeared  in  the  twilight,  and  yet  as  he  glanced 
up  the  stream,  his  heart  sank  witliin  him  as  he  saw 
the  figures  of  the  two  men  watching  by  the  bank. 

There  they  were,  not  more  than  a  hundred  yards 
away !  Startled  by  the  sight,  he  dropped  again  out 
of  sight,  but  in  the  quickness  with  which  he  had 


;s 


JOSIAII  REAPPEARS 


101 


id  been  under 
lave  declared 
Linge ;  but  the 
h  he  was  now 
aukl  maintain 
!i  his  hands  he 
ling  under  the 
began  to  make 

,  and  while  the 
tie  watchers,  it 
n.  At  last,  in 
his  efforts,  the 
jsary  for  Josiah 
in ;  but  in  his 
it  touched  the 
;hat  he  must  be 
the  cane  go, 


tried  to  make  this  movement  he  lost  his  foothold, 
and  the  splash  which  followed  was  sufficient  now 
thoroughly  to  arouse  the  attention  of  the  watchers. 

What  could  he  do?  The  woods,  he  had  noticed, 
were  close  by  the  river's  bank.  His  only  hope  of 
safety  lay  in  them,  and  Josiah  was  not  long  in  decid- 
ing upon  the  course  of  action  he  would  follow. 

He  arose  from  the  water  and  made  his  way  rapidly 
towards  the  bank.  His  appearance  was  greeted  with 
a  yell  of  derision  and  triumph  by  the  Indian,  who 
called  to  his  companion  and  at  once  started  after  the 
hunter;  but  Josiah  had  gained  the  bank  now.  and 
mustering  all  his  strength,  started  u  inn,  ana 
disappeared  in  the  woods  beyond. 


•UUli 


chattering,  and 
with  an  ague, 
how  dim  all  the 
et  as  he  glanced 

him  as  he  saw 
>y  the  bank. 

hundred  yards 
)pped  again  out 
L  which  he  had 


4(l***f 


'•oivWi')t;fii".('itf.»»i>» 


-^/ 


192 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


CHAPTER  XX 


THE  PLACE  OF  TORAIENT 


TF  Josiali  Fletcher  had  not  had  wet  clothing  cling- 
ing to  him,  and  had  not  heen  so  thoroughly 
chilled  and  weakened  by  his  experiences  of  the  past 
half  hour,  escape  might  have  been  possible  for  him ; 
but  as  it  was,  numb  with  the  cold,  weakened  by  his 
efforts,  and  startled  by  the  sudden  appearance  of  the 
men  watching  and  waiting  for  him  on  the  bank,  the 
prospect  before  him  was  not  encouraging.  And  yet 
as  he  entered  the  forest  he  ran  as  perhaps  never  he 
had  run  before. 

Glancing  behind  him  he  saw  that  both  men  were  in 
pursuit,  and  only  a  few  moments  had  passed  before  he 
realized  that  an  escape  by  flight  was  an  impossibility. 
He  was  too  weak  long  to  keep  up  the  pace  at  wliich 
he  had  started,  and  already  he  could  hear  his  pursuers, 
and  he  knew  they  were  steadily  gaining  upon  him. 

Some  other  plan  must  be  tried,  and  that  without  a 
moment's  delay.  Josiah,  noticing  a  large  tree  near 
him,  stepped  quickly  out  of  the  path,  and  dodged 
behind  its  shelter. 


7ES 


clothing  cling- 
so  thoroughly 
3es  of  the  past 
>88ible  for  him ; 
eakened  by  his 
pearance  of  the 
II  the  bank,  the 
jing.  And  yet 
rhaps  never  he 

ith  men  were  in 
tassed  before  he 
a  impossibility. 
I  pace  at  wliich 
ar  his  pursuers, 
g  upon  him. 
that  without  a 
large  tree  near 
h,  and  dodged 


THE   PLACE  OF  TORMENT 


193 


The  Spaniard  was  in  advance,  and  swiftly  he  passed 
Josiah's  hiding-place  without  stopping,  and  apparently 
unsuspicious  of  the  presence  of  the  hunter.  Hope  le- 
vived,  and  he  began  to  think  there  might  be  a  pos- 
sibility of  his  doubling  on  his  purauers,  and  making 
his  way  to  the  river  again,  and  of  ushig  the  canoe 
which  he  was  certain  they  had  left  not  far  from  the 
place  where  he  had  climbed  the  bank. 

As  he  glanced  out  from  behind  the  tree  his  hopes 
were  scattered  in  a  moment,  as  he  saw  the  Indian 
standing  directly  heiom  him  and  apparently  waiting 
for  him  to  ai)pear. 

"  White  man  a  fish.  Breathe  water.  Have  gills," 
said  the  warrior. 

But  Josiah  made  no  reply  to  the  Indian's  Avords,  as 
there  was  nothing  for  him  to  say,  and  the  little  con- 
fidence he  had  gained  by  the  clever  way  in  wliich  he 
had  deceived  both  his  captoi-s  was  dispelled  now,  and 
he  knew  that  his  present  situation  was  much  more 
critical  than  that  in  which  he  had  been  before,  and 
from  which  he  so  successfully  had  escaped. 

The  Spaniard  was  recalled  by  liis  companion  in  a 
moment,  and  as  he  returned  he,  too,  put  questions 
to  Josiah,  to  which  the  hunter  made  no  response. 
Again  the  Spaniard  urged  that  their  prisoner  should 
be  shot  and  put  out  of  the  way.  Why  his  advice  was 
not  listened  to,  Josiah  could  not  tell,  but  in  Ixis  heart 
there  was  a  deeper  fear  that  his  perils  were  not  les- 


:  » 


i 


«tUf«<M|tlHWMkMNlriu  - 


194 


TECUMSEirS   YOUNO   IJIIAVES 


sened  by  the  stubborn  refusal  of  the  Iiulian  to  grant 
his  companion's  request. 

No  further  words  were  spoken  to  the  liunter,  and 
he  soon  saw  that  the  canoe  was  to  be  abandoned  and 
that  tliey  were  to  make  their  way  overhuid. 

♦'  Wliito  liunter  breathe  in  water,"  said  the  Indian, 
"  but  Indian  breathe  on  land."  "  j 

This  was  the  only  explanation  Josiah  received, 
and  his  hands  now  were  quickly  bound  liehind  him. 
On  through  the  darkness  the  party  made  their  way, 
not  stopping  for  even  a  brief  rest.  Across  the  coun- 
try and  through  the  forests  they  rapidly  advanced, 
Josiah  marching  between  the  two  men.  Many  times 
Josiah  fell  in  his  weariness,  but  a  sharp  word  from 
one  of  the  men  would  bring  him  to  his  feet  again,  and 
compel  him  to  do  his  utmost  to  keep  up  with  the 
others. 

At  last,  towards  morning,  they  stopped,  and  a  small 
fire  was  kindled.  Josiah's  hands  were  freed  long 
enough  to  allow  him  to  wring  out  his  wet  clothing 
and  lie  down  for  a  brief  sleep. 

There  was  an  air  of  confidence  in  the  Indian  now 
that  became  apparent,  and  the  forebodings  of  the 
hunter  increased.  Evidently  his  captors  were  not 
afraid  of  pursuit,  and  the  region  into  which  they  had 
entered  was  one  familiar  to  both  men.  Soon,  after 
a  breakfast  of  roasted  acorns,  they  started  on  once 
more. 


mhL 


•  tmmm»lt»$it** 


ES 

ulian  to  grant 

le  hunter,  and 

bandoiK'd  and 

luid. 

lid  the  Indian, 

liah  received, 
d  l)ehind  him. 
ide  their  way, 
•0S8  tlie  coun- 
dly  advanced. 
Many  times 
irp  word  from 
Feet  again,  and 
>  up  with  the 

d,  and  a  small 

e    freed   long 

wet  clothing 

e  Indian  now 
idings  of  the 
)rs  were  not 
hich  they  had 
Soon,  after 
rted  on  once 


THE   PLACE   OF  TORMENT 


195 


l''(tr  two  days  the  journey  was  kept  up,  and  the 
Htops  wliich  were  made  were  not  frcMpiunt,  and  eael) 
was  oidy  for  a  brief  time.  JoHiah,  liardy  woodsman 
though  he  was,  wiw  nearly  worn  out  by  the  struggles 
through  which  he  had  passed.  His  clothing  wa.s  in 
shreils,  and  the  moccasins  whicli  he  had  were  worn 
and  torn ;  but  Josiah  noticed  with  some  satisfaction 
that  the  Spaniard  wiw  in  even  a  worse  plight  than  he, 
and  that  the  jcmmey  had  told  upon  his  strength  even 
more  than  it  had  upon  his  own.  The  Indian  appar- 
ently did  not  notice  the  difficulties,  and,  as  far  as 
Josiah  could  see,  was  as  fresh  now  as  when  they  had 
alMindoned  their  canoe  and  started  through  the  woods. 

The  confidence  of  his  captors  increased  rai)idly,  and 
it  was  evident  that  they  were  near  the  end  of  their 
journey.  Josiah  had  no  other  clew  to  this  than  the 
word  "  Econochaca,"  which  he  had  heard  in  their  con- 
vei-sation,  and  which  he  was  aware  could  not  be  far 
away.  All  his  doubts  were  soon  settled,  for  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  second  day  they  approached  a  place 
wliich  he  heard  the  Indian  call  "  Econochaca,"  as  he 
encouraged  his  companion  by  declaring  that  this  was 
to  be  the  end  of  their  journey. 

Econochaca,  or  "  holy  ground,"  was  situated  in  a 
pathless  wilderness,  on  a  bluff  on  the  left  bank  of  the 
Alabama  river.  Weatherford  himself  had  built  the 
village  a  few  months  before  this  time,  having  selected 
the  most  ol)scure  place  he  could  find,  and  had  had  it 


.J.i.XJ 


ji^  I  tmi'i  Whi 


O'lrfc^i  .i.ii-|i 


196 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNO  BRAVES 


dedicated  by  the  Shawnee  prophets  whom  Tecuinseh 
had  left  behind  him. 

This  liad  been  luade  a  place  of  refuge  for  the 
wounded,  and  for  tlie  fugitives  who  niiglit  be  com- 
pelled to  flee  from  their  homes  in  the  adjacent  Indian 
settlements. 

At  the  time  when  Josiah  entered  the  village  there 
were  many  of  the  Indian  women  and  children  there, 
although  these  soon  after  were  removed  to  another 
place  for  greater  safety.  Not  a  path  or  trail  led  to  this 
village,  and  in  their  wild  and  reckless  speeches  the 
prophets  again  and  again  declared  to  the  credulous 
warriors  that,  like  Auttose,  this  place  also  was  "  holy 
ground,"  and  that  no  white  man  could  ever  enter  it 
and  live. 

Sad  forebodings  filled  the  mind  of  Josiah  as  they 
approached  this  village,  for  rumors  of  the  strange 
rites  and  ceremonies  practised  there,  and  the  cruel 
customs  of  the  place,  had  been  heard  by  him  for  sev- 
eral weeks  past. 

Little  attention  was  paid  to  our  party  as  they 
entered,  and  Josiah  noticed  that  there  was  a  large 
square  ui  the  centre  of  the  village.  Even  as  they 
approached,  the  priests  were  performing  their  incanta- 
tions, and  as  he  glanced  about  him,  his  heart  sank  as  he 
noticed  on  one  side  of  the  square  ten  large  stakes 
which  had  been  driven  securely  into  the  ground.  To 
these  stakes  were  bound  even  then  some  white  men 


~-3a^=*:«^^^? 


pjSawi' 


horn  Tecumseh 

refuge  for  the 
niiglit  be  com- 
idjiicent  Indian 

le  village  there 
cliildren  there, 
ved  to  another 
trail  led  to  thia 
8  speeches  the 
the  credulous 
also  was  "holy 
1  ever  enter  it 

Josiah  as  they 

>f    the  strange 

and  the  cruel 

)y  him  for  sev- 

party  as  they 
3  was  a  large 
Even  as  they 
J  their  incanta- 
leart  sank  as  he 
n  large  stakes 
e  ground.  To 
me  white  men 


THE  PLACE  OF  TORMENT 


197 


and  a  few  Indians  whom  ho  rec  ignized  as  friendly 
Creeks.  The  piirpose  of  all  this  wan  only  too  evident, 
and  Josiah  knew  that  they  were  to  Ih)  the  victinis  of 
the  prophets'  fury,  and  the  offerings  of  these  poor,  de- 
luded savages  to  the  unseen  powei>i.  He  knew  also, 
now,  why  his  Indian  captor  had  so  pei-sistently  refused 
the  request  of  the  Spaniard  that  he  might  l)e  shot,  and 
oven  the  sturdy  hunter's  cheek  blanched  as  ho  thought 
of  tb.e  fate  which  in  all  probability  was  in  store  for 
him. 

The  party  stopped,  and  for  a  few  moments  watched 
the  crowd  of  yelling  savages.  Even  the  women  and 
cliildren  were  present,  and  joined  in  the  exciting 
sport.  About  the  feet  of  the  wretched  victims  were 
gathered  quantities  of  pine  knots  which  liad  been 
soaked  in  pitch,  and  the  children  were  anmsing  them- 
selves by  driving  long  splinters  into  the  bodies  of  the 
helpless  prisoners. 

A  kind  of  dance  was  soon  entered  upon,  and  the 
yells  of  the  warriors,  and  the  excitement  of  the  othei-s, 
soon  wrought  the  fury  up  to  a  pitch  such  as  Josiah, 
familiar  as  he  was  with  Indian  customs,  never  before 
had  seen. 

The  medicine-men,  or  prophets,  led  in  the  dance, 
and  the  high  excitement  under  which  they  labored 
seemed  to  inspire  a  sijnilar  feeling  in  the  minds  of  all 
the  others.  For  some  time  this  dance  went  on,  but  at 
last  the  torch  was  applied  to  the  fagots,  and  one  [»ile 


'KWW 


19ft 


TECUMSEIl'S  VOUN(i   HUAVKS 


ufUT  another  wiw  soon  in  tlunu's.  Tlie  "i^lit  of  the 
tiro  Hoemed  to  incroiwe  tlio  fury  of  tlic  Hi»t'ctiit(»i-s,iina 
tlu!  tauntinj,'s  of  tlie  victims  and  tlie  yt'lls  of  tJio  war- 
rioi'H  incri'iixetl. 

Sonio  of  the  wretched  prisoneiN  },nive  vent  to  their 
feclingH  hy  such  screanw  of  agony  and  fear  »w  Josiah 
had  never  heard  Ixifore.  Othei-s  were  silent,  and 
seemed  to  pride  themselves  upon  the  fact  that  even 
in  their  death  a^'ony  they  did  n(.t  give  their  cai)- 
tors  the  pleasuri;  of  witnessing  any  weakness  on  their 
part.  lUit  the  resinous  wood  soon  burned  out  and 
made  an  end  to  this  scene,  and  the  excitenient  died 
down  almost  as  rapidly  as  it  had  arisen. 

Josiah  thought  that  even  the  cniel  Spaniard  was 
touched  by  the  sight  they  had  just  seen,  but  as  he  did 
not  speak  he  had  no  means  of  judging  of  his  feelings, 
and  certainly  he  expected  little  mercy  at  his  hands. 
But  Josiah  Fletcher  was  heartsick.  Here  he  was  a 
prisoner  in  this  village  of  Econochaca,  which  the  In- 
dians firmly  Mieved  to  have  been  built  on  "holy 
ground,"  and  into  which  as  yet  no  white  man  had 
ever  come  except  as  a  prisoner. 

Behind  him  lay  a  pathless  wilderness.  The  exact 
location  of  the  village  even  was  unknown  to  the  white 
men,  at  least  so  Josiah  thought,  and  only  rumors  had 
been  scattered  of  the  life  there  and  the  deeds  that 
were  done  by  the  Indians.  There  was  little  hope  of 
aid  from  without  — of  that  he  felt  positive. 


I 

1 


M»«ijl»i*H|l"  ■IW»li>' 


10  Hi}jht  of  the 
siH'ctiiUti-s,  and 
'lis  of  the  wai- 

vont  to  their 

feiir  iw  .losiah 
ire  Hilent,  uiul 

fact  that  even 
ive  thi'ir  ca^)- 
vkness  on  their 
urned  out  and 
xcitenient  died 
sen. 

[  Spaniard  was 
1,  hut  as  ho  did 

of  his  feelings, 
J  at  his  hands. 
Here  he  was  a 
,  which  the  In- 
huilt  on  "holy 
wliite  man  had 

!88.  The  exact 
wn  to  the  white 
mly  rumors  had 
the  deeds  that 
18  little  hope  of 
sitive. 


r 


1 


'•Till'  siiiht  of  tlio  liri'  sofiniMl  to  incroasi'  the  fury  of  tlio  siii'ctiitors." 

I'lKJI      I  US. 


THE  PLACE  OF  TORMKNT 


199 


1 


As  he  glanced  about  the  village  he  wah  suqjrised 
at  the  large  number  of  warriors  he  saw,  and  he  knew 
that  even  if  a  party  of  white  men  slumld  try  to  enter 
the  place,  they  would  not  be  of  much  avail  unless 
there  were  many  of  them ;  and  such  an  advance  on 
the  part  of  the  soldiera  was  something  Josiah  did 
not  expect,  and  which  he  regarded  as  exceedingly 
improbable. 

Wearied  by  his  march,  his  clothing  in  a  sad  condi- 
tion, his  strength  wasted  by  the  lack  of  sufficient 
food  and  his  exertions,  the  sight  of  the  men  burned 
at  the  stake  served  to  rob  the  hunter  of  the  little 
coui-age  he  had  had.  He  was  certain  his  turn  would 
come  soon,  and  that  he,  too,  would  be  tied  to  some 
stake  and  a  scene  similar  to  the  one  he  had  just 
watched,  again  would  be  enacted. 

"  Well,  it's  lucky,"  said  Josiah  to  himself,  trying  to 
take  as  calm  a  view  as  possible  of  liis  situation,  "  that 
there's  no  one  dependent  upon  me,  and  if  I  am  going 
to  go  up  in  smoke,  it's  probably  just  as  well  that 
there  aren't  very  many  to  feel  badly  about  it.  We've 
all  of  us  got  to  go  some  time,  and  if  my  time  has 
come  now,  why,  I'll  try  to  make  the  best  of  it.  If 
those  Indians  could  die  without  a  whimper,  I  think 
I'll  try  to  keep  my  tongue  between  my  teeth  even  if 
it's  hot  enough  to  blister  it,  and  see  if  I  can't  rob 
these  fiends  of  the  pleasure  of  seeing  my  torments. 
But  I'll  not  give  up  yet.     It  may  be  some  way  will 


s  .il 


200  TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  HRAVE8 

open,  and  that  I  can  manage  to  cut  loose  in  spite  of 
these  redskins.  I  don't  propose  to  give  way  till  the 
end  conies,  and  then  if  I  have  to,  why  I  U  have  to 
and  that's  all  there  is  ahout  it.  Meanwhile  I  intend 
to  keep  my  mouth  shut  and  my  eyes  open,  and  it  1 
have  half  a  chance,  I'm  going  to  he  quick  to  make 

the  most  of  it." 

Josiah  again  looked  all  ahout  him,  and  aa  he  saw 
the  walls  which  had  heen  huilt,  and  how  strong  the 
place  was,  he  could  not  keep  from  himself  the  con- 
elusion  that  any  such  thing  a.s  an  escape  was  most  un- 
likely.     But  his   thoughts  were  interrupted  hy  the 
approach  of  several  Indians   whom  he  took  to  he 
chiefs     He  did  not  recognize  any  of  them,  and  could 
not  hear  the  conversation  which  they  held  with  his 
captors.    This,  however,  was  soon  at  an  end,  and  he 
w^  led  away  by  two  of  the  braves,  who  secure  y 
bound  his  hands  and  feet,  and  throwing  him  rouglily 
into  a  tent  left  him  there  alone. 


t 


■:«#ii» 


■ 


-iv^ 


AT  THE  STAKE 


201 


e  in  spite  of 
J  way  till  the 
I'll  have  to, 
hile  I  intend 
pen,  and  if  I 
aick  to  make 

nd  as  he  saw 
ow  strong  the 
iiself  the  con- 
!  was  most  un- 
rupted  by  the 
le  took  to  be 
lem,  and  could 

held  with  his 
an  end,  and  he 

who  securely 
g  him  rouglily 


CHAPTER  XXI 


AT    THE    STAKE 


DAY  after  day  passed  and  Josiah  Fletcher  was  still 
kept  a  prisoner.  His  feet  and  hands  were  tightly 
bound,  and  any  effort  to  escape  which  he  might  have 
felt  inclmed  to  have  made  would  have  been  as  useless 
as  it  was  hopeless. 

What  was  to  become  of  him?  What  purpose  had 
they  in  retaining  him  as  a  prisoner  and  keeping  him 
in  such  close  l)ondage  ? 

The  fear  deepened  every  day  in  the  hunteit's  heart 
that  he  was  kept  for  no  good  purpose,  and  he  became 
almost  certain  that  he  too  was  to  be  offered  as  a 
victim,  as  were  those  he  had  seen  when  he  first  en- 
tered the  village.  Not  a  word  could  he  get  from  his 
guard,  and  the  uncertainty,  together  with  his  scanty 
food  and  the  cramped  position  which  he  was  compelled 
to  keep  day  and  night,  soon  told  upon  the  rugged 

Josiah. 

Two  or  three  times  his  thongs  were  loosed  and  he 
was  led  out  into  the  square,  which,  as  we  have  said, 
was  in  the  centre  of  the  town ;  but  the  horrors  and 


^'^T 


i^ 


TKCUMSEirS   YOUNG   BRAVES 


Buffei'ing  which  he  saw  there  on  tlio  occasion  of  each 
visit  affected  him  far  more  than  even  his  captivity 
iteelf. 

The  fanaticism  of  the  priests  led  all  the  warriors  to 
make  these  human  sacrifices,  on  the  ground  that  they 
were  necessary  for  their  success  in  the  war  which  they 
were  waging  with  tlie  whites.  The  most  of  these  victims 
were  white  captives,  or  half-breeds  who  were  suspected 
of  being  too  friendly  to  the  white  men's  cause.  Some 
friendly  Creeks  also  were  burned,  and  in  this  way  the 
medicine-men  thought  to  strike  terror  to  the  hearts  of 
the  halting,  and  inflame  the  zeal  of  all  those  who  were 
already  committed  to  the  cause  so  dear  to  Tecumseh's 
heart. 

On  the  first  occasion  when  Josiah  was  led  out  into 
the  square  many  women  and  children  were  in  the 
town,  and  these  were  even  more  cruel  than  the  war- 
riors themselves.  They  had  not  the  strength  of  the 
men,  but  they  were  far  more  ingenious  in  contriving 
ways  to  increase  the  tortures  of  the  prisoner's.  Josiah 
was  scarcely  able  to  stand  when  he  was  first  led  out, 
and  had  barely  risen  to  his  feet  before  an  Indian 
boy  shot  at  him  a  blunt  arrow ;  and  the  pain  which 
it  inflicted  —  for  the  worn  Josiah  could  not  repress 
his  feelings  —  brought  a  yell  of  delight  from  all  who 
witnessed  it,  and  encouraged  the  boys  to  try  their 
skill  again  and  again.  They  soon  left  him,  how- 
ever, to  resume  their  occupatiou  of  forcing  splinters 


-k 


wiywwy  'R  i*n^)nii.i  J 


5S 

Elision  of  each 
his   captivity 

he  warriors  to 
unci  that  they 
ar  whicli  they 
f  these  victims 
vere  suspected 
cause.  Some 
1  this  way  the 
)  the  hearts  of 
liose  who  were 
0  Tecumseh's 

15  led  out  into 
were  in  the 
than  the  war- 

rength  of  the 
in  contriving 

mers.  Josiah 
first  led  out, 

re  an  Indian 

16  pain  which 
d  not  repress 

from  all  who 
s  to  try  their 
ift  him,  how- 
cing  splinters 


AT  THE   STAKE 


203 


under    the   skin   of    those   who   were   alwut    to  l)e 
Imrned. 

Sometimes  the  victims  were  compelled  to  run  the 
gauntlet,  but  not  one  of  them  ever  escaped,  and,  bruised 
and  bleeding  from  the  blows  which  were  inflicted  upon 
them,  they  were  brought  back,  only  to  be  tied  to  the 
stake  and  have  the  resinous  wood  piled  all  al)out  them. 

The  second  time  Josiah  wsw  led  forth,  expecting  a 
repetition  of  his  former  torments,  he  was  sur>rised  as 
he  observed  that  no  women  and  children  were  to  be 
seen,  and  as  none  of  them  appeared  again  he  concluded 
that  they  had  been  removed  to  some  other  place  for 
safety.  At  first  this  brought  a  ray  of  hope  to  the 
hunter's  heart,  and  he  thought  there  was  a  possibility 
that  the  Indians  were  preparing  to  resist  an  attack. 
But  as  day  after  day  passed  and  no  further  indica- 
tions of  such  an  event  were  seen,  hope  almost  died 
in  Josiah's  heart,  and  he  abandoned  himself  to  the 
death  which  he  was  certain  would  soon  be  his. 

He  noticed  in  the  village  one  day  a  half-breed  whom 
he  at  once  recognized  as  Weatherford.  The  influence 
he  had  over  the  others,  the  respect  they  all  paid  him, 
his  evident  strength  and  commanding  form,  all  served 
to  bring  back  to  the  captive's  mind  the  man  whom  he 
had  seen  a  few  times  before  and  whose  name  was  so 
well  known.  Indeed,  Josiah  dared  to  hope  a  little 
when  he  recalled  the  efforts  of  Weatherford  to  restrain 
his  warriors  at  Fort  Mims.    What  he  was  doing  at 


ff^ 


ii^UmT^Hpk-^  *ii^'^0»fi^*r^^f»'- 


1 


204 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


Econochaca  ho  could  not  (wcertain,  but  on  each  suc- 
ceeding day  when  Josiah  wiis  led  into  the  square  he 
saw  him,  and  concluded  that  he  either  was  waiting 
for  some  attack,  or  making  preparations  for  some 
expedition  he  was  about  to  lead- 
in  this  way  two  weeks  passed.  Why  something 
was  not  done  with  him  Josiah  could  not  tell,  but  at 
last  there  came  a  morning  when  he  was  led  forth  into 
the  square,  and  from  the  looks  which  were  given  him 
he  concluded  that  the  day  of  his  trial  had  come.  He 
was  brought  near  to  a  circle  of  wan-iors  who  were 
seated  upon  the  ground,  as  silent  when  he  approached 
as  though  they  had  been  statues.  He  could  see  their 
faces  and  hear  their  words,  and  as  he  was  somewhat 
familiar  with  their  language,  he  had  little  difficulty 
in  understanding  the  purpose  of  the  deliberations 
which  soon  began. 

There  was  a  debate  concerning  himself.  Weather- 
ford  rose  to  speak,  and  as  the  hunter  heard  him  make 
pleas  for  the  life  of  the  prisoner,  his  heart  began  to 
beat  again  with  hope.  Earnestly  and  strongly  the 
half-breed  appealed,  and  when  he  sat  down  a  murmur 
of  applause  made  Josiah  think  that  either  his  execu- 
tion was  about  to  be  put  off,  or  that  he  would  be  held 
for  exchange  as  Weatherford  had  urged. 

After  a  brief  silence  one  of  the  prophets  arose  and 
Ixjgan  an  impassioned  harangue  in  which  he  urged  the 
Indians  not  to  be  beguiled  by  the  smooth  words  of 


IRBlHiajHiaiMMHPW 


VES 

ut  on  each  suc- 

0  the  square  he 
ler  was  waiting 
tions   for  some 

IVhy  something 
not  tell,  but  at 
18  led  forth  into 
were  given  him 
had  come.  He 
Tiors  who  were 

1  he  approached 
5  could  see  their 
)  was  somewhat 

little  difficulty 
le  deliberations 

[iself.  Weather- 
heard  him  make 
heart  began  to 
ad  strongly  the 
down  a  murmur 
ither  his  execu- 
e  would  be  held 
3d. 

iphets  arose  and 
ch  he  urged  the 
mooth  words  of 


AT  THE  STAKE 


805 


even  so  great  a  man  as  VVeatherford.  There  wivs  no 
hope  for  success  to  be  looked  for  except  an  human 
sacrifices  were  offered.  The  cause  demanded  this, 
the  people  themselves  were  entitled  to  it,  and  the 
larger  the  number  of  victims,  the  greater  the  prospect 
of  success. 

Josiah  could  see  that  the  prophet's  speech  produced 
an  impression  far  deeper  than  that  of  Weatherford's, 
and  he  became  an  eager  listener  as  the  debate  pro- 
gressed. Now  for  him,  and  now  against  him,  some 
man  of  prominence  would  speak;  but  the  prophets 
evidently  knew  the  temiier  of  the  warriors  better 
than  did  Weatherford  liimself,  acknowledged  leader 
though  he  was.   ' 

At  last  the  long  debate  was  ended,  and  with  a  sink- 
ing heart  Josiah  realized  that  the  decision  had  been 
against  him.  Still  bound  he  was  left  where  he  was, 
in  charge  of  his  guard  for  a  short  time,  while  other 
ijnhappy  prisoners  were  brought  forth,  and  he  could 
see  them  as  they  were  bound  to  the  stakes  and  the 
fagots  piled  about  them. 

Soon  three  or  four  of  the  Indians  seized  him 
and  carried  him  back  to  the  wigwam  from  which  he 
had  been  taken ;  but  he  knew  from  their  actioas  that 
he  was  not  to  escape  the  fate  which  he  believed  waa 
in  store  for  him.  Soon  he  was  brought  forth  again 
by  these  same  warriors,  and  as  he  glanced  about  the 
square  he  sdw  twelve  stakes,  at  eleven  of  which  there 


fe 


206  TECUMSEir.S  YOUNO   BRAVEa 

wen.  already  victims  boun.l.     Tho  one  stake  wlmh 
apparently  had  been  left  free   he  at  onee  cone  uded 
was  for  himself,  and  the  question  wiu»  soon  settled  a. 
he  mv.  carried  near  it.     The  thongs  were  loosed  and 
he  was  told  to  rise. 

So  stiff  was  he  and  weak,  that  he  was  scarcely  able 
to  stand  erect,  and  as  he  took  a  few  tottering  steps 
forward,  a  yell  of  derision  arose  from  the  crowd  which 

was  watching  him. 

"Well  I'll  show  them  how  a  white  man  dies,    said 
Joeiah  to' himself.    "  Nary  a  groan  shall  they  get  from 

""  And  yet  with  all  of  Josiah's  bravery  he  never  had 
been  in  such  danger  a.  then  faced  him.     He  glanced 
along  the  row  of  victims,  and  saw  that  n.ore  than  half 
of  them  were  white.     He  noticed  also  several  half- 
breed,  and  two  or  three  friendly  Creek  waniors  in  the 
r.mber,  who  looked  at  him  with  but  little  more  ex- 
pression than  the  stakes  themselves  had.    The  women 
and  the  children  were  gone,  and  a«  a  consequence  no 
.plinte«  were  thrust  under  the  skin  of  the  victims 
this  day,  and  there  was  a  strange  hush  over  aU. 

Noticing  that  he  was  scarcely  able  to  move,  two  of 
the  warriors  seized  him  and  roughly  helped  him  for- 
ward  to  the  stake,  to  which  he  was  soon  fast  bound. 
Not  merely  were  his  hands  and  feet  tied,  but  a  long 
lash  was  wound  around  his  body,  so  that  even  his  con- 
tortions would  be  prevented  when  the  agony  began. 


AT   TIIK   STAKR 


m 


ce  which 

ietU(Ml  lis 
)0scd  ivuil 

i-cely  able 
ring  stops 
wd  which 

lies,"  said 
y  get  from 

never  had 
le  glanced 
3  than  half 
veral  half- 
riors  in  the 
ie  more  ex- 
rhe  women 
Bquence  no 
the  victims 
over  all. 
ove,  two  of 
ed  him  for- 
East  bound. 
,  but  a  long 
ven  his  con- 
gony  began. 


His  head  wiis  left  free,  mid  ho  looked  up  at  the  sky 
al)ove  him.  The  wliite  (douds  were  moving  there, 
and  nothing  ho  could  see  in  any  way  ap()eared  to  re- 
flect the  scene  Ijeneatli.  He  glanced  at  the  other 
victims  for  a  moment,  and  felt  rejoiced  as  ho  noticed 
that  one  or  two  of  them  had  fainted. 

What  wan  that?  In  the  midst  of  his  own  grief 
.losiah  noticed  that  one  of  the  victims  was  a  woman, 
and  apparently  she  was  unconscious  of  anything 
occurring  about  her. 

"  I'm  glad  of  it,"  said  Josiah  to  himself.  "  Her 
troubles  will  soon  be  over,  and  I  Iioik;  she  won't 
wake  up  in  time  to  give  these  redskins  any  chance  to 
enjoy  her  sufferings." 

The  prophets  were  busy  now,  and  with  strange  in- 
cantations were  moving  about  amongst  the  crowd. 
How  hideously  they  were  dressed !  Skins  of  beiwts 
were  curiously  wrought  and  fivstened  about  them. 
Their  faces  were  black,  and  as  they  shouted  or  sang 
their  voices  sounded  almost  unearthly. 

He  could  see  Weatherford  on  the  margin  of  the 
crowd,  mounted  on  his  magnificent  gray  horse.  As 
he  stood  there,  horse  and  rider  both  motionless,  the 
appearance  they  presented  was  more  like  that  of  a 
statue  than  of  life. 

How  long  would  it  take  before  the  agony  would  bo 
over?  When  would  the  prophets  cease  their  din  and 
the  real  work  begin  ?    Josiah  hoped  it  would  not  be 


TECUMSEIIH   YOIINO   DUAVKS     • 

I.)iig ;  iiiid  iw  now  lio  could  lliiiik  of  no  poHsiMo  wti) 
of  escaiK!,  tlic  hooiilt  tlio  end  ciUiH)  tlui  Iwltcr  for  him. 
Th«  wood  liivd  Ik-cu  [lilcil  very  \\\\f\\  idMmt  him,  and 
rt'iichcd  idniost  to  his  iuini)it*t.     VVliy  it  wiw  that  liis 
head  had  IxHin  kift  freo  \w  couUl  not  uniUii'stand,  hut 
with  aHtranj,'c  calm  ho  was  olwcrving  tlio  inovemcntH  of 
tlic  crowd  and  the  antics  of  tlic  niedicine-nicn.     Soon, 
however,  he   noticed  a  change.      The  niedieine-nien 
ceased  from  tlieir  incantations,  and  one  of  them,  who 
appeared  to  he  a  leacUsr,  stepped  in  front  of  the  as- 
Kcmhly  and  kigan  an  impassioned  harangue.     More 
and  more  excited  did  he  l)ecome  as  he  went  on.     All 
the  men  except  Weatherford  appeared  to  share  in  his 
feelings. 

The  glance  which  Josiah  cast  at  the  half-breed  dis- 
closed the  look  of  scorn  on  the  brave  man's  face,  for  he 
was  entirely  free  from  the  snpewtitions  of  the  people, 
and  unmoved  by  the  wild  harangue  of  the  prophet. 

The  gesticulations  of  the  speakci-s  Ixjcame  wilder. 
They  threw  their  hands  and  waved  their  arms  about 
their  heads,  and  the  people  were  fast  approaching  a 
state  of  frenzy.  One  Indian  quickly  seized  a  blazing 
iagot,  and,  approaching  the  stake  at  the  other  end  of 
the  line,  set  fire  to  the  pile. 

Louder  than  the  voices  of  the  prophets  rose  the 
scream  of  agony  from  the  white  man  who  had  been 
bound  there ;  but  no  other  pile  was  fired  as  yet.  Why 
was  this  ? 


►(♦^-i^ 


rr 


AT  TIIK   STAKE 


20!) 


IS  i  bit!    \VH\ 

if  fur  him. 
b  Iiiiii,  luul 
j4  that  his 
xtiiiid,  hut 
veuuditH  of 
ill.  Soon, 
iliciiio-ineii 
them,  wlio 
of  tho  IIH- 
ue.  More 
it  on.  All 
hare  in  his 

f-breed  dis- 
face,  for  he 
tho  people, 
prophet, 
ime  wilder, 
arras  about 
preaching  a 
id  a  blazing 
ther  end  of 

its  rose  the 
)  had  been 
yet.     Why 


"The  (Udiions  are  going  tf>  take  us  one  by  one," 
thought  Josiah,  "  and  my  turn  is  coiniiig  Iiust.  Tluiy'rc! 
going  tt>  leave  us  to  see  all  the  sulYcrijigs  of  the  othei's, 
and  draw  this  tiling  out  as  long  m  they  can." 

Still  tho  prophets  spoke,  and  the  warriora  wore 
divided  in  their  attentions  between  tho  excited 
speakei-s  and  tho  sight  of  tho  bhizing  pile.  The 
llames  soon  died  down,  and  Josiah  shuddered  iw  he 
saw  in  tl)o  midst  of  the  ashes  a  few  bones,  showing 
all  that  was  left  of  the  man  who  had  been  lM)und  there. 

Again  one  of  the  prophets  began  to  speak,  and  for 
a  ujoment  tlio  Indians  stopped  to  listen  to  him.  The 
voice  of  the  speaker  was  shrill  and  high.  Never  had 
the  hunter  seen  anything  like  the  scene  l)efore  him. 
Some  smoke  still  was  rising  from  he  smouldering  fire. 
The  whole  multitude  of  warrioiv  were  standing  as  one 
man  facing  the  speaker,  who  wjis  appix)aching  tho  end 
of  liis  hiiraiigue.  As  ho  drew  near  to  tho  close  he 
seemed  to  be  in  a  perfect  fury,  and  there  was  scarcely 
any  one  in  all  the  assembly  who  did  not  share  with 
him  in  his  feelings. 

Again  a  warrior  seized  a  fagot  as  there  came  a 
pause  in  the  speaker's  words,  and  was  about  to  start 
towards  the  second  stake.  He  had  taken  but  a  few 
steps  when  suddenly  a  hush  came  over  the  assembly. 
The  entire  band  appeared  to  be  startled,  and  were  lis- 
tening intently  to  some  sounds  which  Josiah  could 
not  hear. 


>t 


,  lilt.  Illf  llllllllllllf  ,1'    ' ',    '        '""".,       '  '"        '    *  " ''*    " 


210 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


What  could  be  the  meaning  of  it?  Josiah  had 
little  feeling  now,  as  long  since  he  had  abandoned  all 
hope  of  escaping ;  but  something  unusual  evidently 
was  at  hand,  and  in  a  moment  he  saw  the  crowd 
thrown  into  confusion  and  together  start  and  run 
towai-ds  one  of  the  forts. 


LI  mmnmm^iM  j-iu.  ^^-^<^" 


ECONOCHACA 


211 


osiah  had 
ndoned  all 
evidently 
the  crowd 
t  and  run 


CHAPTER   XXII 


ECONOCHACA 


tlTHEN  Jeny  and  Tecumseh's  young  braves  left 
"'  the  camp  of  General  Claiborne  as  the  Ijearers 
of  his  message  to  General  Jackson,  Tom  accompanied 
them  as  far  as  the  borders  of  the  forest.  Another 
party  left  at  the  same  time  with  a  message  for  Gov- 
ernor Blount,  and  the  boys  stopped  to  watch  the 
others  until  they  disappeared  amongst  the  trees. 

"  Well,  Jerry,"  said  Tom,  "  I  don't  know  when 
we'll  get  together  again,  and  I  hate  more  than  I  can 
tell  you  to  be  separated  from  you ;  but  there's  noth- 
ing else  to  be  done  now." 

"  It  won't  be  long,"  replied  Jerry  confidently,  "  and 
Tecumseh's  young  braves  know  every  inch  of  the 
country  around  here,  and  we'll  soon  have  the  mes- 
sage delivered  and  be  on  our  way  back  again." 

"  Probably  we  shan't  be  here  then,"  replied  Tom, 
"for  there's  a  good  deal  of  talk,  as  you  know,  of 
starting  right  off  towards  the  Creek  country,  and  the 
general  is  just  determined  to  strike  some  blow  that 
will  put  an  end  to  these  troubles." 


212 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


"  Well,  I  hope  he  will,"  replied  Jerry,  "  and  that 
soon,  too.  This  uncertainty  is  worse  than  a  real 
fight.  If  we  could  only  meet  them  once  hand  to 
hand  and  get  the  matter  settled,  everybody  would 
be  a  good  deal  more  contented." 

"Your  talk  is  very  brave,"  replied  his  brother, 
"  but  I  think  in  your  heart  you're  as  scared  as  I  am. 
I  didn't  think  when  we  started  out  on  that  raft,  with 
Nance  and  mother  and  the  children,  that  we'd  ever 
be  ha  .ring  a  share  in  this  war.  I  thought  an  end 
Avould  come  in  a  few  days  or  weeks  at  the  most,  and 
that  then  we'd  go  back  home  and  go  to  work  once 
more  clearing  up  the  place." 

"Oh,  well,  never  mind,  Tom,"  said  Jerry;  "the 
country  is  getting  roused  now,  and  even  Tecumseh's 
young  braves  have  seen  which  way  the  wind  is  blow- 
ing, and  they  have  come  in  on  the  winning  side; 
haven't  you.  Captain  Jim  ?  " 

But  the  Indians  made  no  reply,  and  Jerry  con- 
tinued :  "  But  we  can't  stay  here  to  talk  any  more, 
for  we  must  start ;  so  good-by."  And  without  once 
looking  behind  them,  Jerry  and  his  companions  started 
on  their  long  journey. 

Tom  watched  them  as  long  as  they  could  be  seen, 
and  then  stood  for  some  moments  looking  towards 
the  place  in  the  forest  where  they  had  disappeared. 
Slowly  then  he  returned  to  the  camp,  his  heart  filled 
with  forebodings,  and  much  more  fearful  of  the  com- 


I 


,.t— Ulgtl 


a-^ 


1 


▲. 


ECONOCHACA 


213 


and  that 

,n  a  real 

hand  to 

iy  would 

brother, 
as  I  am. 
raft,  with 
we'd  ever 
it  an  end 
most,  and 
rork  once 


rry; 


-the 


ecumseh's 
d  is  blow- 
img  side; 

Ferry  con- 
any  more, 
hout  once 
ins  started 

d  be  seen, 
g  towards 
sappeared. 
leart  filled 
f  the  com- 


ing events  than  he  had  been  willing  to  acknowledge 
to  his  brother. 

Soon  every  one  in  the  camp  was  astir.  General 
Claiborne  was  determiiiod  to  strike  an  effective  blow, 
both  for  the  sake  of  his  own  reputation  and  his  desire 
to  put  an  end  to  the  terrible  uncertainty  under  which 
the  scattered  settlers  were  lalioring. 

Anything  like  the  usual  work  on  the  clearings  was 
impossible.  Families  had  been  shot  down  in  cold 
blood,  and  often  the  men  had  been  tomahawked  while 
they  were  in  the  fields  harvesting  the  crojjs.  Even 
the  women  and  children  were  not  safe,  and  many  a 
mother  had  seen  her  little  one  raised  aloft  in  the 
arms  of  some  brawny  savage,  and  its  brains  dashed 
out  against  the  walls  of  the  home  in  wliich  she 
lived. 

There  were  about  a  thousand  men  in  the  army 
now,  and  Tom,  with  great  interest,  watched  the 
movements  of  the  soldiers.  There  was  a  battalion  of 
horse  which  Major  Cassell  led,  and  also  one  of  militia 
of  which  Major  Smoot  was  in  charge.  In  this  latter 
battalion  he  recognized  "aptain  Sam  Dale,  and  his 
courage  returned  when  he  thought  of  the  encounter 
which  he  had  witnessed  between  this  man  and  the 
Indians  in  the  great  canoe  a  few  weeks  before. 

The  regulars  were  commanded  by  Colonel  Russell, 
and  there  was  a  band  of  Mississippi  volunteers  led  by 
Colonel  Carson,  who  liad  enlisted  for  twelve  months. 


'( — 


214 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


In  addition  to  all  these,  there  were  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  Indians,  mostly  Choctaws,  whom  Pudha- 
mataha  led.  A  sufficient  garrison  was  left  at  the  fort, 
and  then  the  little  army  started. 

Rapidly  they  pushed  their  way  onward,  stopping 
only  for  such  halts  as  were  alisolutely  necessary, 
making  an  unbroken  march  for  eighty  miles.  There 
they  stopped  long  enough  to  build  a  station  for  pro- 
visions, which  they  named  Fort  Deposit,  and  then 
the  march  was  resumed,  the  army  pushing  steadily 
on  again  for  nearly  thirty  miles. 

They  were  passing  through  a  patlUess  wilderness 
now,  an\l  only  the  baggage  and  provisions  that  were 
alisolut^ly  necessary  were  carried.  Men  and  officers 
alike  suffered  greatly  on  this  marcL,  and  on  most  of 
the  way  they  subsisted  chiefly  on  boiled  acorns. 

It  was  currently  reported  in  the  army  that  they 
were  bound  for  Econochaca,  the  "holy  ground"  of 
the  Indians;  and  when  the  last  thirty  miles  of  the 
march  had  been  completed  the  entire  army  halted, 
and  General  Claiborne  sent  foi-ward  his  scouts  to  spy 

out  the  land. 

Among  those  who  were  sent  on  this  expedition  was 
our  young  hero  Tom  Curry,  aldng  with  the  soldier 
whom  Josiah  had  familiarly  called  Martin,  and  in 
whose  care  he  had  left  his  young  companion.  Other 
men  also  were  sent  out  on  scouting  expeditions,  as  the 
general  was  determined  to  learn  the  exact  location 


L 


hundred 

1  Pudha- 

the  fort, 

stopping 
lecessarjs 
1.  There 
n  for  pro- 
and  then 
T  steadily 

vild^mess 
that  were 
[id  officers 
m  most  of 
acorns, 
that  they 
round"  of 
les  of  the 
ny  halted, 
»uts  to  spy 

dition  was 
the  soldier 
in,  and  in 
on.  Other 
ions,  as  the 
ct  location 


f 


ECONOCHACA 


»» 


of  the  place  l)efore  he  prepared  to  strike  what  he 
hoped  would  prove  to  be  a  fatal  blow. 

The  spies  found  the  place  strongly  guarded, 
after  the  Indian  fashion,  and  had  every  reiuson  to 
believe  that  none  of  the  inmates  had  any  suspicion 
of  the  danger  threatening  them;  but  as  we  already 
know,  rumors  had  penetrated  the  Indian  village  suffi- 
cient to  lead  the  warriors  to  carry  their  women  and  chil- 
dren across  the  river  into  safe  places  among  the  thick 
forests,  and  the  defenders  of  the  place  as  a  consequence 
were  without  any  hindrance  to  a  vigorous  defence. 

Tom  and  his  companion  reported  what  they  had  dis- 
covered to  the  general,  and  told  of  the  deep  ravines 
and  swamps  that  almost  surrounded  the  town  and 
rendered  an  approach  an  exceedingly  difficult  matter. 
However,  they  all  declared  that  the  place  where  the 
Indians  had  entered  was  one  into  which  the  white 
men  could  go  too,  and  after  some  time  approaches 
suitable  for  the  army  were  found. 

General  Claiborne  carefully  made  his  plans,  and  in 
three  columns  the  army  closed  upon  the  town  by  a 
simultaneous  movement.  Colonel  Carson's  Mississippi 
volvmteers  were  the  first  to  be  seen  by  the  enemj-,  and 
so  furiously  did  they  make  their  attack  that  before 
Colonel  Russell  and  Major  Smoot  could  bring  their  men 
fairly  into  the  fight,  the  Indians  in  dismay  had  broken 
and  fled.  The  most  of  these  escaped,  as  Major  Cas- 
sell  had  failed  to  follow  his  directions  and  occupy 


^— rH-WF-^»«»»T^-ffT  " 


nmm^if  niiiWMjinn  ■  Miijri..i,ff  '■ 


210 


TECUMSBH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


the  Imnk  of  the  AUibama  west  of  the  town  with  his 
hattalion  of  horse. 

These  Indians  fled  in  droves,  running  swiftly 
along  the  Iwink  of  the  river,  and  whenever  they  eould 
find  an  opportunity  plunged  into  the  water,  some 
swimming  and  some  using  the  canoes  wliich  they  had 
hidden  along  the  hanks.  Some,  who  were  fortunate 
enough  to  gain  these,  made  their  way  to  the  farther 
side  of  the  river  and  joined  their  families,  who  were 
concealed  In  the  woods  there. 

Here  Weatherford  gave  a  display  of  liis  courage 
and  skill  that  was  long  talked  of  after  the  war  WJis 
ended.  As  we  have  related  in  a  preceding  chapter, 
he  was  usually  seen  mounted  on  a  swift  gray  horse 
that  seemed  to  share  the  spirit  of  luis  rider.  When  the 
half-breed  found  that  his  warriors  had  deserted  him 
and  were  unwilling  to  listen  to  the  calls  of  the  prophets, 
he  was  compelled  to  flee  for  his  own  life  ;  but  he  was 
the  last  to  leave. 

The  horse  he  was  riding  responded  to  liis  every 
touch,  and  bore  him  along  the  ravines  to  a  high  bluff 
which  overlooked  the  river,  and  behind  which  there 
was  a  steep  precipice.  With  a  shout  of  exultation 
the  soldiere  pressed  closely  upon  liim,  thinking  that 
now  they  had  their  dreaded  enemy  in  their  clutches. 
On  one  side  lay  the  river  far  below  the  bluff,  and 
on  the  other  side  were  the  deep  ravines,  while  beyon^ 
him  lay  a  swamp  through  which  escape  was  impossible  ; 


sam* 


with  his 

swiftly 
ey  could 
er,  some 
they  had 
'ortunate 
e  farther 
vho  were 

courage 
war  wji« 
chapter, 
•ay  horse 
tVheu  the 
irt«d  him 
prophets, 
at  he  was 

liis  every 
highhluff 
lich  there 
ixultation 
iking  that 
r  clutches, 
bluff,  and 
ile  beyon^ 
npossible ; 


ECONOCIIACA 


217 


but  not  hesitating  even  for  a  moment  Weatherford 
touched  his  powerful  steed  with  his  hand,  and  with 
one  mighty  bound  horse  and  rider  l)oth  left  the  bluff 
and  disappeared  beneath  the  water  of  the  river. 

So  sudden  was  this  movement,  and  unexpected  by 
the  soldiera,  that  they  all  stopped  for  a  moment,  and 
a  cry  of  dismay  arose  from  the  ranks ;  and  yet  the 
bravery  of  the  half-breed  and  the  wonderful  response 
of  the  horse  he  was  riding  aroused  their  admiration, 
and  a  sound  almost  like  that  of  applause  waa  heard 
among  the  soldiers  as  they  stood  motionless,  and 
watched  for  the  reappearance  of   the  horse  and  his 

rider. 

In  a  moment  both  rose  to  the  surface,  and  Weather- 
ford  grasped  the  mane  of  his  hoi-se  with  one  hand  and 
held  his  rifle  vnth  the  other.  Evidently  he  knew 
the  noble  animal  wliich  had  been  carrying  him,  and 
when  they  had  gone  a  little  distance  out  into  the 
stream,  Weatherford  once  more  lifted  himself  into 
the  saddle,  and,  waving  his  hands  defiantly  at  his 
enemies  behind  him,  was  carried  by  his  faithful  steed 
safely  to  the  farther  shore. 

The  soldiers  at  once  returned  to  Econochaca  and 
began  to  plunder  the  village.  At  their  entrance  they 
had  quickly  spied  the  eleven  victims  of  whom  we 
have  told  in  our  last  chapter,  who  were  still  fast 
bound  to  the  stakes  in  the  square  in  the  centre  of  the 
town,  and  about  whom  the  fagots  were  piled  high. 


I 


218 


TECUMSEirS   YOUNG   HUAVrCS 


i^ 


There  was  no  more  Hiiipiised  lH)y  in  Alulwina  than 
Tom  Curry  wlieii  lie  re(;o},'nize<l  in  the  liiNt  victim  lie 
approaohed  liis  friend  Josiali.  It  wiw  hut  the  work 
of  a  minute  to  free  liim,  and  in  spite  of  the  exeiteinout 
to  Htop  and  listen  to  his  story. 

The  Choctaws  meanwhile  had  been  sealping  the 
slain  Indians.  Thirty  of  these  lay  dead,  ami  jus  soon 
m  the  work  of  plundering  Wius  completed,  (ieneral 
Claiborne  ordered  the  town  to  Iw  fired.  He  knew 
the  place  wjis  considered  by  the  Indians  to  Ix)  "holy 
ground,"  and  he  thought  by  reducing  it  to  ashes  he 
might  be  able  to  break  in  upon  their  superatitions, 
and  thus  destroy  one  of  the  sources  of  their  courage. 
Quickly  the  soldiere  obeyed  his  word,  and  in  a 
brief  time  the  two  hundred  houses  that  composed 
the  village  were  in  flames.  It  was  found  that  the 
assailants  had  lost  but  one  man  in  the  attack,  and 
while  six  were  wounded,  the  soldiers  felt  that  they 
had  been  wonderfully  fortunate  in  accomplisliing 
their  task  with  so  slight  a  loss. 

Two  nights  and  a  day  were  spent  near  the  ruins  of 
what  once  was  the  beautiful  village  of  Econochaca. 
The  Indians  did  not  return  to  the  attack,  and  the 
general  hoped  that  their  spirit  was  broken. 

There  was  need  of  this  attack  of  his,  for  the  skies 
were  very  lowering,  and  as  we  know  seven  British 
vessels,  besides  many  troops  and  two  bomb^hips,  had 
arrived  not  long  before  at  Pensacola. 


ECONOCHACA 


21 U 


liilmina  than 

st  vitrtini  lie 

it  tilt!  work 

exciteinoiit 

culpiiig  the 
auil  {US  80011 
eil,  (leneml 
lie  know 
bo  Ixj  "  holy 
to  ashes  he 
iperatitions, 
3ir  courage. 
,  and  in  a 
;  composed 
d  that  tlie 
ittack,  and 
t  that  they 
omplisliing 

he  ruins  of 

conochaca. 

k,  and  the 

n. 

r  the  skies 

en  British 

-ship^,  had 


Mobile  was  in  great  danger  and  New  Orleans  was 
also  threatened.  St.  Augustine,  without  any  douht, 
would  soon  Ik)  occupied  by  the  liritish  soldici-s  through 
the  consent  of  the  treaehej'ous  Spaniards.  I'he  In- 
dians had  increased  in  their  boldness  since  the  suc- 
cessful attack  they  had  made  upon  Fort  Minis,  and 
in  view  of  all  these  things  a  decisive  blow  at  this 
time  the  genenil  thought  would  Ih)  doubly  effective. 

The  army  now  resumed  its  march,  and  ok  the 
twenty-ninth  anived  once  more  at  Fort  Claiborne  ;  but 
the  general  was  very  desirous  that  the  news  of  his 
success  should  be  sent  to  General  Jackstm,  whose 
plans  might  l)e  governed  somewhat  by  the  loss  of  the 
Indians  at  Econochaca. 

Josiah  Fletcher,  who  had  soon  recovered  from  his 
sufferings,  with  our  young  friend  Tom  Curry  and  two 
friendly  Indians  who  were  familiar  with  the  region, 
were  chosen  to  go  on  this  errand,  and  soon  after  the 
arrival  of  the  army  at  Fort  Claiborne  they  bade  good- 
by  to  their  companions  and  started  on  their  journey 
to  Jackson's  camp. 


I'liwiiiiii   m  r 


220 


TECljMSEirS   yuUNG   HUAVEH 


CHAPTER    XXIII 


AN   INTERHUPTEI)    I'ASSAOK 


^t 


TXTHEN  Josiah  Fletclier,  with  his  companion  and 

"  the  two  Indians  who  were  to  serve  as  a  guard 
and  guides,  started  on  their  expedition,  they  were  not 
at  all  certain  of  the  way.  Josiah  had,  it  is  true,  often 
hunted  in  this  part  of  the  country,  but  the  most 
of  his  life  had  Ixjen  spent  in  the  southern  portion  of 
what  is  now  the  State  of  Alabama. 

"There's  no  help  for  it,  Tom,"  said  the  .mnter. 
"We  shall  have  to  rely  pretty  much  upon  these 
Indians  to  show  us  the  way  to  Jackson's  camp,  but 
we  don't  want  to  let  them  fool  us.  I  don't  feel  very 
sure  of  them  myself." 

"If  you  had  seen  them  when  they  were  scalping 
those  dead  Creeks,  you  wouldn't  have  thought  they 
wasted  any  affection  on  the  other  side,"  replied  Tom. 

"  That's  all  true  enough,"  said  Josiah ;  "  but  an 
Indian  is  a  good  deal  like  a  duck.  You  can't  keep 
one  out  of  the  water  if  there's  any  near  him,  and  you 
can't  keep  the  hands  of  a  redskin  away  from  the  scalp 
of  the  best  friend  he's  got,  if  there's  one  he  can  take." 


I- 


^^^,-  ..^^..^^fXlK." 


AN  INTERRUPTED  PASSAGE 


til 


panion  and 
UH  a  guard 
By  were  not 
)  true,  often 
t  the  moHt 

I  portion  of 

;lie   i*unter. 

upon   these 

camp,  but 

I't  feel  very 

re  scalping 
ouglit  they 
plied  Tom. 
;  "but  an 
can't  keep 
n,  and  you 

II  the  scalp 
can  take." 


♦'  But  surply  the  effect  of  the  reverses  these  Indians 
have  had  will  help  to  keep  tlieso  fellows  straight  who 
are  with  us,"  replied  Tom. 

"  After  a  fashion,  lu-riiaiKs,"  answered  the  hunter; 
"but  these  reilskins  are  m  easily  drawn  one  way  as 
they  are  the  other.  Even  those  young  fellows  you 
call  Tecumseh's  young  braves  were  fierce  enough 
when  the  war  firat  l)egan ;  and  I  can  assure  you  that 
they  did  their  full  share  in  the  bloody  work  at  Fort 
Mims ;  but  you  see  they  have  had  all  their  coumge 
pulled  out  of  them,  and  now  they  are  just  as  ready  to 
fight  on  the  other  side." 

"That's  true;  but  that  is  not  the  whole  truth," 
answered  Tom.  "  Tecumseh's  young  braves  were  all 
right  enough  for  us  until  they  heard  the  great  proph- 
ets speak ;  and  I  never  myself  heard  any  one  talk  that 
made  my  blood  start  as  they  did.  Why,  Tecumseh 
appealed  to  every  motive  he  could  think  of.  You 
would  have  thought  he  was  a  patriot  trying  to  get  his 
men  to  stand  by  their  own  country,  and  I'm  not  at 
all  sure  that  that  wasn't  just  what  he  was  doing, 
after  all." 

"Stuff  and  nonsense,"  replied  Josiah.  "This  is  a 
white  man's  country.  No  redskins  have  any  right 
here." 

Tom  laughed  as  they  both  turned  to  follow  thj 
Indians,  who  were  ready  now  to  start  on  their  journey. 
A  violent  storm  had  occurred  after  their  sack  of  the 


.If 


-■1  in^wr^.  II  I.I 


222 


TECUMSKII'S   YOl'Sr,    HIJAVKS 


town,  iiiul  as  llicy  walked  nipiilly  on  throtijjh  the 
woods  the  effect  of  this  was  apparent  on  ^'M'vy  h'u\v. 
(iieat  tnu'S  liad  hecn  lorn  from  their  roots,  and  h»nj,' 
and  heavy  hranelies  broken  from  their  phieus.  Th(! 
Iiurrieanu  soonied  to  have  had  a  narrow  track,  but 
within  that  it  had  wronght  great  damage. 

Tho  littki  party  niarchinl  silently,  tho  Indians  in 
advanee  and  the  white  n)pn  following.  The  silence 
of  the  woods  in  the  liust  of  Deeondn'r  was  donhly  im- 
pressive. They  could  see  some  little  distance  in  ad- 
vance of  them ;  and  the  sound  of  the  wind  waa  not 
broken,  as  it  had  been  when  the  trees  were  covered 
with  leaves. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  they  had  put  a  good  distance 
between  them  and  the  camp  of  (ieneral  Claiborne 
whicli  they  had  left,  and  their  pace  now  slackened 
somewhat. 

"  That  was  a  great  fight,  wasn't  it  ?  "  said  Tom, 
whose  mind  was  full  of  the  thoughts  of  the  destruc- 
tion whicli  had  been  visited  upon  Econochaca. 

"  The  Indians  didn't  fight  half  as  well  as  I  thought 
they  would.  It  wasn't  their  style  or  place  either," 
replied  Josiah.  "They  have  fought  better  in  close 
quarters  during  this  war  than  I  ever  knew  them  to  do 
before  in  my  life  ;  but  after  all,  whenever  they  have 
fought  that  way  it  has  been  because  they  thought  the 
victory  was  right  in  their  own  hands." 

"  They  fought  well  this  time,  but  not  so  long  as  I 


>ll<> 


a.. 


thronjjh  tlie 
ri  nvciy  h'u\v. 
>tH,  mid  loii<^' 
[)liu;uH.     Tluf 

IV  tmck,  but 

«  Indians  in 
The  Hilenco 
s  d()ul)Iy  ini- 
Htanco  in  ad- 
ind  wius  not 
,vere  covered 

ood  distance 
vl  Claiborne 
iw  slackened 

'  said   Tom, 

the  destruc- 

haca. 

as  I  thought 

ace  either," 

bter  in  close 

V  them  to  do 
r  they  have 
thought  the 

so  long  as  I 


AN    INTKUimi'TKI)    I'AHSA(JK 

thought  they  would,"  said  Tom.  "  They  gave  up  ft 
good  di'al  sdoni'r  than  I  oxpoctcij  thi-in  to.  IJiit  what 
a  leap  that  was  that  NVcatherfurd  took  on  his  horse, 
wasn't  it  ?  I  should  like  to  have  that  homo,  and  I 
wish  I  had  a  body  like  that  half-breed's." 

"More  stuff  and  more  nonsense,"  said  .Tosiah. 
"  You  don't  want  any  of  the  half-breed's  make-up. 
If  I  had  his  body  here  I'd  put  a  bullet-hole  in  it. 
That's  alxmt  all  it's  good  for." 

"I  can't  help  feeling,"  said  Tom,  "that  Weather- 
ford  is  fighting  for  what  he  thinks  is  his  own  country, 
anyway." 

"  Oh,  well,  he's  not  so  bad  as  some  of  them,"  re- 
plied Josiah,  "  I'll  say  that  much  for  him  ;  but  Injun 
blood  is  iMvd  blood  wherever  you  find  it." 

"  I  wish  I  could  have  heard  something  from  Nance 
iMjfore  I  started,"  said  Tom.  "  I'd  like  to  kiiow  how 
they  all  are  at  Mobile." 

"Oh,  Nance  is  all  right,"  replied  the  hunter,  "she 
can  take  care  of  herself  and  the  others  too." 

"I'm  not  afraid  of  her,"  said  Tom,  somewhat 
proudly ;  "  but  after  all  there's  a  good  deal  of  danger 
there,  and  if  the  British  and  the  Spaniards  together 
make  an  attack  on  Mobile,  I'm  afraid  it  will  go  hard 
with  the  town.  I  almost  wish  we'd  sta>  id  there,  and 
if  I'd  ever  thought  that  this  trouble  with  the  Indians 
was  going  to  last  anything  like  the  time  it  has,  I 
don't  think  cither  Jerry  or  I  would  have  left." 


' 


:      i 
I 


■■W'^tW*'^'  i*i'i 


»w^iiiiHJjll  Tii^i>v>ii.j^iii'i.ur  ri'i 


«&«»•• 


*■*!*" 


-»<««i« 


224 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


"  Oh,  you  can  do  a  good  deal  more  for  Nance  and 
your  mother  up  here  putting  a  stop  to  those  Indian 
raids,  than  you  ever  could  have  done  at  Mobile.  But 
we've  got  to  start  on  again  ;  I  see  the  Indians  are  in 
a  hurry,"  replied  the  hunter. 

And  once  more  they  resumed  their  journey.  Tliey 
were  fearful  of  the  scattered  bands  of  tlie  Indians 
now,  and  did  not  know  but  some  of  the  defeated 
warriora  miglit  rally  and  return,  and  if  they  did,  it 
was  more  than  likely  that  they  would  fall  in  with 
some  of  these  parties  before  they  arrived  at  their 
journey's  end.  At  nightfall  they  kindled  no  fire, 
and  in  the  morning  made  only  enough  to  cook  the 
birds  which  Josiah  shot,  and  then  quickly  covered 
it. 

They  steadily  advanced,  and  whenever  they  found 
a  level  stretch  they  often  used  the  lope,  or  half  run, 
whicli  was  a  favorite  mode  of  travelling  with  the 
Indians,  and  in  wliich  both  these  white  men  showed 
great  endurance.  Late  in  the  second  day  they  arrived 
at  the  bank  of  the  Tallapoosa.  Ho^v  they  were  to 
cross  this  now  became  their  problem. 

"  Let's  swim  it,"  said  Tom.  But  Josiah,  who  had 
a  vivid  recollection  of  his  recent  experiences  in  the 
water,  and  whose  teeth  almost  chattered  as  he  recalled 
the  cold  and  numbness  from  which  he  had  suffered, 
decidedly  opposed  the  suggestion,  declaring  tliat  it 
was  too  long  a  swim,  and  as  the  water  was  cold  some 


J.IIJiJIJ'I'.ll. ''  • 


AN  INTERRUPTED  PASSAGE 


225 


Nance  .and 
licse  Indian 
obile.  But 
lians  are  in 

ney.  Tliey 
the  Indians  j 
tie  defeated 
they  did,  it 
fall  in  with 
3d  at  their 
led  no  fire, 
io  cook  the 
dy  covered 

they  found 
)r  half  run, 
g  with  the 
nen  showed  ^'' 
;hey  arrived 
ey  were  to 

ih,  who  had 
nces  in  the 
he  recalled 
id  suffered, 
ing  tliat  it 
3  cold  some 


of  them  very  likely  would  be  taken  with  a  cramp  he- 
fore  they  could  gain  the  farther  shore. 

The  Indians  searched  the  bank  for  a  canoe,  but 
none  was  found,  and  when  they  returned  to  the  others 
it  was  with  a  suggestion  that  a  raft  should  be  built. 
The  shore  was  strewn  with  Uie  trees  which  had  been 
broken  in  the  hun-icane  and  carried  down  the  river. 

The  suggestion  was  approved  by  both  the  white 
men,  and  the  work  was  at  once  begun.  They  experi- 
enced more  difficulty  in  lashing  these  lin^bs  and 
trunks  of  trees  together  than  they  had  expected,  but 
at  last  they  made  the  vfdt  only  large  enough  to  carry 
two.  Josiah  fasliioned  a  rude  i)addle  with  his  hunting- 
knife  and  declared  that  he  would  be  the  ferryman,  and 
would  himself  carry  the  others  across,  taking  one  on 

each  trip. 

When  the  raft  had  been  completed  it  was  late  in 
the  day,  and  Tom,  who  was  the  first  to  be  carried 
across,  when  he  took  his  place  on  the  treacherous- 
looking  craft  noticed  that  the  sun  had  almost  disap- 
peared from  sight.  But  Josiah  safely  and  quickly 
carried  him  across  the  river,  and  soon  landed  him  on 
the  farther  shore.  He  at  once  began  his  return  trip 
for  the  others,  Tom  meanwhile  standing  near  the 
place  where  he  had  landed,  Avatching  the  ferryman 
in  his  efforts  to  guide  his  unwieldy  craft. 

"  How  slow  Josiah  is !     I  think  I  could  make  that 
raft  hum  if  I  held  the  paddle,"  said  Tom  to  himself. 


•I 


\ 


226 


TECUMSEH'S   YOUNG  BRAVES 


But  the  hunter  had  scarcely  made  his  way  to  the 
middle  of  the  river  before  Tom  was  startled,  as  glanc- 
ing up  the  stream  his  attention  was  arrested  by  the 
sight  of  a  canoe  which  was  rapidly  approaching. 

He  called  to  Josiuh,  and  warned  him  of  the 
approaching  boat,  and  as  the  young  man  stepped 
quickly  back  into  the  bushes  where  he  could  not  be 
seen  by  any  one  who  was  psissing,  he  was  sui-prised 
to  see  Josiah  quickly  let  liimself  into  the  water. 
Tom  divined  the  plan  of  the  hunter  at  once,  and  saw 
that  he  was  holding  to  the  side  of  the  raft.  He  was 
on  the  side  nearer  the  shore,  and  evidently  was  hop- 
ing that  by  keeping  his  head  out  of  sight  he  might 
escape  the  notice  of  the  new-comers  and  receive  no 
attention  from  them. 

The  water  was  cold,  and  Tom  slli^cr'-  a<»  he 
thought  of  the  plight  in  which  .Josiah  mui-r  '.  \  ,t- 
hai>8  the  men  in  the  canoe  would  pass  „  ..,wuut 
noticing  the  raft.  There  were  many  floating  logs  in 
the  river  now,  and  it  was  barely  possible  that  the 
rough  structure,  made  as  it  was  of  the  trunks  and 
limbs  broken  from  the  trees  by  the  storm,  would 
appear  so  like  the  other  floating  d<5bris,  that  the  party 
would  not  stop  to  examine  it. 

The  canoe  was  rapidly  approaching  now,  and  as  it 
came  nearer,  Tom  could  see  that  tliere  were  four  men 
in  it,  two  of  whom  were  paddling.  He  ako  was  soon 
enabled  to  see  that  one  of  the  party  was  a  white  man, 


4a»jsKf!s^-- 


..  y^w)*»fti««*^^*rtft5i«'r«^*>*-  ■ 


vay  to  the 
:1,  as  glanc- 
ited  by  the 
jhing. 
m  of  the 
m  stepped 
luld  not  be 
3  surprised 
the  water. 
!e,  and  saw 
;.  He  was 
Y  was  hop- 
t  he  might 
receive  no 

r"     as  he 

r, ;      r  ,r- 

S     „  ..,wi»Ut 

ing  logs  in 
e  that  the 
runks  and 
rm,  would 
b  the  party 

and  as  it 
3  four  men 
>  was  soon 
vhite  man. 


AN  INTERRUPTED  PASSAGE 

and  he  had  just  begun  to  hope  that  they  would  pass 
without  noticing  the  raft,  when  a  sudden  exclamation 
from  one  of  the  Indians  caused  both  of  the  men  Avho 
were  paddling  to  cease  from  their  laboi-s  and  bring  the 
canoe  to  a  standstill. 

What  would  they  do?  Whs  it  the  ratt  which  had 
attracted  their  attention  ?  Perhaps  Tom  himself  had 
been  seen,  and  at  the  thought  the  boy  drew  back 
farther  mto  the  bushes,  but  still  remained  near 
enough  to  the  river  to  watch  the  movements  of  the 
men  in  the  canoe. 

No,  it  was  the  raft  which  had  been  seen  by  them ; 
and  as  they  turned  from  their  courae  and  started 
towards  it,  Tom  knew  that  his  friend  would  soon  be 
in  great  danger.  Evidently  the  men  were  suspicious 
but  not  afraid,  and  had  stopped  to  examine  the 
strange-looking  craft  more  from  motives  of  curiosity 
than  anything  else. 

They  had  been  coming  so  swiftly  down  the  stream 
that  it  was  evident  they  were  in  a  hurry.  Tom  WM 
excited  now,  and  as  the  canoe  drew  nearer  to  the  raft 
his  breath  came  faster.  He  knew  that  Josiah  had  no 
gun,  nor  anything  by  which  he  could  protect  himself. 
He  liimself  must  do  something  to  divert  the  attention 
of  these  men,  and  aid  his  companion  in  his  predica- 
ment. 

It  would  be  death  for  Josiah  if  the  party  found 
him,  and  Tom  now  had  no  hope  that  the   hunter 


■ij[W|U-*wy  v«  Tt^-W^g^^ 


-^«>-g"-r^*    i^H -|j^■^■L^.^IH- 


228 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


could  escape  their  notice.  The  paddle  which  Josiah 
had  used  he  saw  was  lying  on  the  raft,  and  evidently 
was  the  subject  of  conversation  on  board  the  canoe. 
This  was  within  five  yards  now,  and  if  Tom  was  to 
do  anything  the  moment  had  arrived. 

Twice  the  boy  brought  his  gun  to  his  shoulder 
before  he  could  decide  to  shoot,  but  at  last,  taking 
careful  aim,  he  fired.  All  the  men  in  the  canoe 
turned  quickly  at  the  sound  of  the  gun,  and  looked 
at  the  puff  of  smoke  which  rose  above  the  bushes  be- 
hind which  Tom  was  concealed.  Evidently  they  had 
been  taken  by  surprise ;  but  a  greater  surprise  yet  was 
in  store  for  them,  for  suddenly  tliere  was  the  sound 
of  two  guns  fired  from  the  other  shore,  and  not  with- 
out, effect,  for  Tom  saw  one  of  the  Indians  fall  for- 
ward, and  another  suddenly  clapped  his  hand  upon 
his  shoulder. 

They  were  startled  now,  and  quickly  seizing  the 
paddles  of  their  canoe  started  again  down  the  stream 
as  rapidly  as  they  could  go.  They  were  not  yet  out 
of  sight  when  Josiah  crawled  up  on  the  raft.  He 
shouted  at  the  party  which  was  now  far  down  the 
stream,  but  no  attention  was  paid  to  Ids  hail.  Josiah 
stood  and  watched  them  until  they  were  out  of  sight, 
and  then  taking  Ixis  paddle  again  sought  the  farther 
bank. 

Tom  waited  behind  the  bushes  and  soon  began  to 
wonder  why  the  raft  did  not  return.     He  could  not 


■W-iMHiJ'.l'.'-l'' 


hich  Josiah 
d  evidently 
1  the  canoe, 
rom  was  to 

lis  shoulder 
last,  taking 
I  the  canoe 
and  looked 
B  bushes  be- 
;ly  they  had 
>rise  yet  was 
i  the  sound 
id  not  with- 
ms  fall  for- 
hand  upon 

seizing  the 
I  the  stream 
not  yet  out 
e  raft.  He 
r  doAvn  the 
ail.  Josiah 
•ut  of  sight, 
the  farther 


AN  INTERRUPTED   PA8SAGE 


229 


see  the  men  in  the  canoe  now,  and  the  raft  itself  was 
out  of  sight  behind  the  little  point  on  the  farther 
shore.  More  and  more  puzzled  Tom  waited,  but 
when  a  half  hour  had  passed  and  none  of  the  party 
appeared  he  »)egan  to  be  alarmed. 

What  was  the  meaning  of  it?  Why  did  they  not 
come  ?  It  would  soon  be  dark,  and  he  began  to  fear 
that  he  had  been  abandoned  by  the  others.  He  did 
not  know  the  way  to  Jackson's  camp,  and  as  he 
thought  of  possible  treachery  on  the  part  of  their 
Indian  companions,  he  began  to  be  seriously  alarmed, 
not  only  for  himself  but  also  for  his  hunter  friend. 
Meanwhile  the  gloom  incresised,  the  sun  had  long 
since  disappeared,  and  the  darkness  would  soon  be  at 
hand. 


)n  began  to 
e  could  not 


f" 


-sr- 


-I  jii^,     yn  HI  .  . 


230 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG   BRAVES 


CHAPTER  XXIV 


I 


FOLLOWED 

THE  darkness  deepened  while  Tom  waited  for  his 
companions,  and  he  began  to  think  they  were 
prevented  from  coming.  He  was  afraid  something 
had  happened  to  Josiah,  and  the  suspicions  wliich 
his  companion  had  entertained  concerning  the 
Indians  returned  now  to  him,  and  he,  too,  began  to 
fear  that  there  had  been  foul  play  somewhere.  He 
did  not  know  whether  to  go  away,  or  to  wait  longer 
where  he  was.  If  evil  had  befallen  the  hunter,  it 
might  soon  be  his  turn  to  share  in  it  also,  for  the 
Indians  knew  where  he  was,  and  if  they  had  dealt 
foully  with  Josiah,  it  would  be  a  comparatively  easy 
matter  for  them  to  cross  the  river  farther  up  the 
stream,  and  come  upon  him  while  he  was  un- 
aware. 

He  decided  that  he  would  remain  for  a  little  while 
where  he  was,  and  await  further  developments. 
Several  minutes  passed  in  this  way,  but  the  only 
sounds  that  were  heard  were  of  the  lapping  of  the 
waters  and  the  wind  sighing  through  the  tree-tops. 


ited  for  his 
they  were 
i  something 
cions  wliiclx 
erning  the 
90,  began  to 
iwhere.  He 
wait  longer 
le  hunter,  it 
also,  for  the 
jy  had  dealt 
•atively  easy 
ther  up  the 
te  was    un- 

i  little  while 
Bvelopments. 
ut  the  only 
)ping  of  the 
he  tree-tops. 


FOLLOWED 


231 


Suddenly  his  attention  was  directed  by  a  sound  that 
came  from  the  river. 

What  wsis  that?  It  sounded  very  much  like  a 
paddle,  and  the  slight  spla-sh  in  the  water  wius  soon 
followed  by  another;  but  who  WiUs  it  coming?  Was 
it  Josiah  returning,  or  did  it  mean  danger  for  him- 
self? 

He  peered  out  into  the  darkness  and  soon  saw 
slowly  emerging  the  outlines  of  the  raft.  He  could 
discern  the  two  bodies  that  were  on  it,  and  he  hesi- 
tated a  moment  between  his  inclination  to  run,  and 
his  desire  to  wait  and  see  who  the  approaching  men 
were.  Suddenly  he  heard  a  wliistle  low  and  clear 
from  the  raft,  and  he  recognized  it  at  once  as  Josiah's 
signal.  Reivssured  by  the  familiar  sound,  he  watched 
the  progress  of  the  raft  as  it  was  sent  towards  the 
shore  by  the  combined  efforts  of  the  two  men,  for 
both  were  paddling. 

Yes,  it  was  Josiah  and  one  of  the  Indians.  Tom 
had  no  difficulty  now  in  recognizing  them,  and  as 
soon  as  they  landed  he  listened  to  the  explanation 
which  Josiah  gave  for  their  long  delay. 

One  of  the  Indians,  as  soon  as  the  canoe  had  gone 
down  the  stream,  had  quickly  started  towards  the 
little  point  below  them  that  projected  into  the  river, 
and  taken  his  stand  where  he  could  watch  the  move- 
ments of  the  party  that  was  fleeing.  He  had 
expressed  to  the  hunter  his  fear  that  they  might 


232 


TECUMSEirS  YOlTSr,   BRAVES 


return,  and  by  making  a  detour  come  upon  them  from 
l)eliind,  after  they  thought  all  (huiger  liad  piussed. 

"  But  you'i-e  wet  through,  Josiah,"  said  Tom, 
*'  and  your  teeth  are  chattering  like  a  woodpecker's 
bill  against  a  tree.  You're  not  fit  to  go  over  again. 
I'll  take  the  raft  this  time  and  go  over  for  thg  other 
man,  and  you  wait  for  me  here." 

Josiah  interposed  a  few  feeble  objections,  but  evi- 
dently he  was  glad  of  the  proffer  of  his  young  friend, 
and  Tom  soon  stepped  upon  the  raft  and  grasping 
the  paddle  quickly  moved  out  into  the  stream. 

It  wjis  not  new  work,  for  many  times  he  had  made 
a  voyage  down  the  river  in  a  small  canoe,  or  on  one 
of  the  larger  rafts  that  sometimes  were  made  up  by 
settlers  and  sent  down  to  the  mouth  of  the  Alabama. 

Slowly  he  sent  the  little  craft  onward,  trying  to 
make  as  little  noise  iis  possible,  for  he  did  not  know 
but  another  party  of  stragglers  might  be  coming  down 
the  river  by  this  time,  and  he  was  not  without  fear 
that  the  party  which  had  passed  them  might  return. 
His  progress  consequently  was  not  very  rapid,  and 
the  young  pioneer  wjis  watchful  on  every  side ;  but  at 
last  he  crossed  the  stream  in  safety  and  looked  about 
for  the  Indian  who  was  supposed  to  be  waiting  for 
him. 

He  approached  the  shore  and  stepped  out  upon  the 
bank,  but  not  a  sign  of  the  Indian  could  he  see.  He 
did     not    know   but   he    had    come    to   the    wrong 


k 


fl|M«,i'lM' 


FOLLOWED 


233 


them  from 
tissod. 
laid  Tom, 
odpecker's 
)ver  again. 
r  thg  other 

J,  but  evi- 
mg  friend, 
I  grasping 
tream. 
had  made 
or  on  one 
lade  up  by 
}  Alabama. 
,  trying  to 
I  not  know 
ming  down 
ithout  fear 
jht  return, 
rapid,  and 
ide ;  but  at 
oked  about 
ivaiting  for 

it  upon  the 
>e  see.  He 
the    wrong 


pUce,  or  perhaps  Ik,  had  gone  larther  down  the 
Itn-an.  than  he  ha.l  intended  to;  and  yet  he  scarce  y 
.lared  to  call,  and  was  for  the  time  undecided  m  to 
what  ho  had  best  (h). 

For  several  nanutes  he  stood  there  on  the  bank 
waiting  for  some  sign  of  the  presence  of  tbe  ndian 
and  he  was  about  to  resume  his  position  on  the  ratt, 
and  go  farther  up  the  stream,  when  he  wiu,  startled 
,,y  the  sudden  api.earanee  ..f  the  young  bmve.  He 
uttered  no  word,  but  stepped  quickly  upon  t,he  mft 
and  taking  the  other  paddle  began  to  ^^ssist  Fom  a 
once,  and  together  they  sent  the  little  raft  farther  out 

into  the  river.  ,„,,... 

They  had  not  gone  more  than  a  third  of  the  distance 
across  the  strean.  when  the  Indian  suddenly  stopped 
and  uttered  a  low  warning  word  to  his  companion. 
He  evidently  heard  sometliing  that  disturbed  him. 

Yes  Tom  could  hear  it  now,  too.  There  was  a 
sphvshof  some  kind  farther  up  the  river  or  was  it 
down  the  stream?  Tom  could  not  tell  at  fi«t,  but 
following  the  example  of  his  companion  he  dropped 
his  paddle,  and  taking  his  gun  they  both -silently 
awaited  developments. 

For  several  minutes  they  retained  their  positions, 
not  even  uttering  a  word  or  doing  so  much  as  to 
wliisper  to  each  other.  Their  raft  meanwhile  had 
drifted  some  distance  with  the  current,  and  they  wei^ 
afraid  they  would  lose  their  bearings.    The  sound 


r~ 


w 


t 


( i 


2'M 


TKCFMSKirs   VOUNCi    BUAVKS 


wliicli  liiid  iii-nwted  their  uttontioii  wiw  not  repeutiJtl, 
and  once  nioie  gmsping  tlioir  piuldUw  tlioy  Hent  tho 
iiift  quite  Hwiftly  over  the  water  and  soon  arrive' i  at 
tlie  I'artlier  hank. 

Here  they  were  connwlled  to  go  some  little  distance 
up  the  stream  Injfore  they  landed,  so  far  had  they 
drifted  Indow  tlie  landing-place,  and  when  once  more 
they  were  with  their  companions  tliey  told  of  their 
delay  and  tho  alarm  wliich  the  sudden  sphish  in  the 
river  had  caused  them. 

Tom's  companion,  who  hitherto  had  Iwen  silent, 
said,  "  Canoe  come  back.     Chase  the  white  huntei-s." 

And  from  his  convei-sation  they  learned  that  when 
he  had  gone  down  to  the  point,  as  Josiah  had  related, 
he  had  seen  the  men  who  were  in  the  canoe,  when 
they  thought  they  were  beyond  the  sight  of  the  party 
that  had  fired  upon  them,  turn  about  in  their  couree, 
and  seek  the  bank  which  was  on  the  side  of  the  river 
on  which  they  tliemselves  then  were.  The  Indian 
also  urged  them  at  once  to  start  inland  and  make  the 
best  possible  time. 

"  He's  right,"  said  Josiah ;  "  he's  right.  I'm  chilled 
to  the  bone,  but  we  must  put  out  of  here  right  away. 
We've  got  a  good  many  miles  to  go,  and  with  woods 
as  full  of  Indians  as  these  are  now,  we'll  be  lucky  if 
we  ever  arrive  at  Jackson's  camp." 

"  We  can  make  a  start,  anyway,"  said  Tom. 

"Yes,"  replied  Josiah;  "but  there's  no  knowing 


)t  repeiiUitl, 
oy  Hent  tlio 
II  arrive'  i  at 

btle  distance 
ir  had  they 
I  once  more 
ihl  of  their 
phvsh  in  the 

Ijeen  silent, 
e  hnntei-s." 
.  that  when 
had  related, 
3anoe,  when 
of  the  party 
bheir  couree, 
of  the  river 
The  Indian 
d  make  the 

I'm  chilled 
right  away, 
with  woods 
L  be  lucky  if 

Pom. 

10  knowing 


FOMiOWKl) 


235 


what  we  may  run  into.  IM  like  to  know  wlu'th,-.  Jerry 
and  those  yoiu.«  bnives  of  'Pecumseh's  nuulc^  tlu'.r  way 
all  right,  iind  succeeded  in  getting  into  (Jeneral  Jack- 
sou's  camp.     If  they  did,  I  don't  see  why  we  can't." 

"Of  course  they  did,"  said  Torn.  "Jerry  duhi't 
close  his  eyes  on  that  journey,  I'll  warrant,  and  when 
his  eyes  are  open,  they're  wide  open." 

For  some  time  they  journeyed  on  in  the  darkness. 
Many  mishaps  were  theirs,  and  frequently  they 
stumbled  over  logs  and  were  tripped  by  the  vines, 
and  more  than  once  stepped  into  some  mai-shy  or 
boggy  place  that  threw  some  of  them  forward  upon 

their  faces. 

At  length,  after  three  hours  had  passed,  they  made 
a  brief  halt,  and  as  it  was  near  morning  now,  they 
decided  that  it  would  lie  safe  for  them  to  start;  a  small 
fire.  They  did  this  ;  but  as  soon  as  Josiah's  clothing 
wiw  diy,  and  they  had  cooked  what  little  food  they 
had,  they  at  once  sttvrted  on  again. 

Their  Indian  companions  now  apparently  had  lost 
much  of  their  fear,  and  explained  that  if  they  were 
pursued,  it  was  more  chan  likely  that  by  this  time  the 
others  had  lost  trace  of  them. 

In  another  hour  it  was  broad  daylight,  and  then 
the  Indians  strongly  urged  them  to  wait  for  a  few 
hours  and  see  whether  they  were  followed. 

"That's  a  good  plan,"  said  Josiah,  "and  we'll  try 
it.    It  won't  do  us  any  harm  to  get  a  little  rest,  and 


^ 


236 


TKriTMSKH'S   YOUNO   BR.VVKH 


it  may  he  that  wo  hIuiII  get  rid  of  hdiiu!  dangeiin  by 
tmvdlling  in  the  iiij,'lit  and  resting  in  the  (hiytinie.  To 
tell  the  truth,"  .losiah  added,  after  he  and  Tom  had 
stretclied  theniselveH  upon  the  Ixiughs  they  liad  eol- 
lected,  "  I'm  a  good  deal  afniid  that  those  fellows  in 
the  canoe  will  not  give  us  up.  They  don't  know 
how  many  of  us  there  were,  nor  who  we  were,  but 
whciii  you  po[>i)ed  at  them  on  one  side  and  the  two 
Indians  on  the  other  side,  they  must  have  concluded 
at  once  that  you  were  acting  together,  and  that  there 
were  only  three  of  you  all  told.  If  that's  so,  it's  very 
likely  they'll  send  somebody  after  those  they  think 
are  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  while  they'll  either 
come  themselves  or  send  somelwdy  else  after  those 
who  were  on  this  side,  and  I  think  we'd  better  keep 
pretty  (juiet  tonlay." 

The  Indians  had  Ijoth  withdrawn  from  the  camp 
and  gone  into  the  woods,  and  sis  they  had  not 
exi)Iained  their  purpose  in  leaving,  Josiah's  feara 
returned,  and  he  again  became  suspicious  of  treachery 
on  the  part  of  their  guides. 

"I  tell  you,  we  can't  trust  'em.  We  can't  trust 
'em,  and  this  little  nap  that  you  and  I  planned  to  take, 
we'll  have  to  give  up  —  at  least,  I  shall." 

"Well,  I  think  if  there  had  been  any  treachery 
in  the  minds  of  these  Indiiins,"  said  Tom,  "they 
wouldn't  have  been  apt  to  hit  two  of  those  men  who 
were  iu  the  canoe,  and  that's  just  what  they  did." 


I  ■<  Ak  iwtiMriHmmtMKi  iiirni 


ilinifft'i'H  l)y 

tl  Tom  liml 
ey  liiul  col- 
fellows  in 
on't  know 
!  were,  but 
,nd  the  two 
!  concliuled 
that  there 
so,  it's  very 
they  think 
ey'll  either 
after  those 
setter  keep 

1  the  camp 
y  had  not 
siah's  feara 
)f  treachery 

can't  trust 
ned  to  take, 

Y  treachery 
'om,  "  they 
80  men  who 
ey  did." 


% 


POLLOWKD 


237 


"That's  80,"  said  Josiah  slowly;  "I'd  forgotten 
that.  They  did  tickle  two  of  those  fellows  in  the 
canoe,  didn't  they  ?  We're  not  j^oiiij;  to  IwiTow  any 
trouble  l)cfore  we  have  to,  and  so  we  might  just  as 
well  turn  in  and  have  a  little  nap,  after  all."  This 
advice  Tom  (juickly  followed,  and  soon  both  of  these 
hardy  pioneers  were  fast  asleep. 

When  they  awc;v:e,  both  Indians  had  returned  to 
the  cami)  and  were  prepaiing  tlr  birds  they  had  shot 
for  their  breakfiwt.  They  had  not  used  their  guns, 
as  they  were  fearful  of  the  Drcsence  of  the  enemy, 
but  their  arrows,  wliich,  evon  thouf  ^  they  carried 
fire-arms,  they  were  not  willing  to  dir^i  lu,  had  quietly 
and  just  as  efficiently  accomplish*  J  their  pvrpose. 
The  small  fire  was  kept  jsi  long  enough  :•  cook 
these  birds,  and  then  was  put  out  again. 

Slowly  the  hours  of  the  long  day  passed,  and  as  the 
dusk  drew  on  again,  they  made  their  preparations  for 
resuming  the  journey.  They  were  almost  ready  to 
start  when  Tom  felt  the  to'.oh  of  one  of  the  Indian's 
hands  laid  upon  his  own.  He  glanced  up  quickly 
and  saw  that  the  Indian  liad  also  placed  his  finger 
upon  liis  lips.  He  whispered  the  one  word  "Com- 
ing," and  although  Tom  was  not  able  to  detect  any 
unusual  sound  in  the  forest,  in  a  few  minutes  he  too 
could  hear  th :  v.upping  of  branches,  and  knew  that 
some  one  was  approaching. 

All  of  them  had  drawn  back  now,  leaving  their 


l;':: 


..»».i.>-^i.  y«ji:'jf*<»r'*- 


238  TECUMSEH'8  YOUNG  BIUVKS 

camp,  and  had  hidden  themselves  behind  the  trees. 
They  were  excited  and  fearful.  How  many  there 
were  in  the  approaching  party  they  had  no  means  of 
knowing,  and  whether  they  were  friends  or  foes  they 
could  not  tell ;  but  soon  they  stepped  forth  into  the 
cleared  space  and  Tom  could  scarcely  repress  the 
exclamation  of  fear  which  rose  upon  his  I'ps. 

There  were  five  Indians  and  one  white  man  whom 
Josiah  at  once  recognized  as  the  Spaniard  who  had 
formed  one  of  the  party  which  had  captured  him,  and 
with  whom  he  had  gone  to  Econochaca. 

How  the  Spaniard  had  escaped  from  that  place, 
when  General  Claiborne  made  his  attack,  he  had 
never  known;  but  as  he  had  not  found  his  body 
among  the  slain,  he  concluded  that  he  had  succeeded 
in  making  his  way  across  the  river,  and  had  hidden 
with  the  Indians  in  the  forest. 

But  there  were  only  four  who  had  been  in  the 
canoe  which  had  passed  them  while  they  were  trying 
to  make  their  way  across  the  river,  and  here  there 
were  five  of  the  Indians,  not  one  of  whom  showed 
any  sit^ns  of  a  wound,  and  a  Spaniard  who  perhaps 
might  have  been  a  member  of  the  party;  but  the  two 
additional  wai-riors  certainly  showed  that  others  were 
scouring  the  country,  and  that  reinforcement  had 
been  drawn  from  them. 

The  entire  party  stopped  at  the  camp  and  curiously 
examined  the  remains  of  the  meal  which  had  been 


SSs^ssesw 


liiid  the  trees. 
iv  uiany  there 
d  no  means  of 
Is  or  foes  they 
forth  into  the 
ly  repress  the 
his  I'ps. 
ite  man  whom 
niard  who  had 
tured  him,  and 

Dm  that  place, 
vttack,  he  had 
jund  his  body 
had  succeeded 
ind  had  hidden 

,d  been  in  the 
ley  were  trying 
and  here  there 
whom  showed 
■d  who  perhaps 
by ;  but  the  two 
hat  others  were 
forcements  had 

ip  and  curiously 
ivhich  had  been 


FOLLOWED 


239 


left  there.  They  tegan  to  examine  the  ground  and 
look  for  the  trail  again,  and  Josiah  almost  chuckled 
iu^  he  saw  that  they  had  followed  the  one  made  by  - 
the  Indians  when  they  had  left  the  camp  in  their 
search  for  birds.  Tliny  waited  until  all  of  them 
had  parsed,  and  then  Josiah  whispered,  "  Phe 
Indians  were  right,  Tom.    Those  fellows  are  follow- 

ing  us."  . 

"But  where  are  our  Indians?"  said  Tom  quickly. 
^  There's  only  one  here.     Where's  the  other  one  ?  " 

"  That's  true,"  said  Josiah,  somewhat  startled,  "  and 
I  don't  know  what  it  means;  but  we've  got  to  put 
out  of  this,  and  make  better  time  than  we  have  been 
doing,  or  they'll  get  us,  after  all." 

Summoning  their  companion,  they  stai-ted  as  swiftly 
and  silently  as  they  could  go  once  more  into  the 
forest.  They  knew  the  enemy  was  near  them,  and 
they  were  in  danger  of  an  attack  at  any  moment. 
Their  fears  were  increased  by  the  strange  disappear- 
ance of  the  Indian  who  had  been  with  them,  and  it 
was  with  many  forebodings  that  they  resumed  their 

journey.  „ 

"I  hardly  think  they'll  follow  us  in  the  darkness, 
said  Josiah  in  a  low  whisper  to  Tom.    "They'll  think 
we're  not  suspicious  of  them,  and  that  very  likely 
we'll  go  into  camp  somewhere  at  night,  and  they'll 
plan  to  fall  upon  us  then  if  they  can."      - 

"But  what's  that?"   asked  Tom  suddenly  as  he 


^1 


»i»/,<  -'"i   JUPiLf  ■*  «>»'''"l!'J««Wi'^i 


Hj7f^i«rt'tii  tiio«w"g'.i<iJiii>iiB''wg>'< r» 


240 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  KRAVES 


"There's  some 


pointed  into  the  forest  by  their  side, 
one  coining." 

All  three  of  the  men  grasped  their  guns  and  stood 
silently  awaiting  the  approach  of  this  stranger.  They 
could  see  his  form,  but  could  not  determine  whether 
he  was  friend  or  foe.  How  noiselessly  he  stepped 
over  the  dead  branches  with  which  the  ground  was 
strewn !  IIow  swiftly  he  made  his  way  even  in  the 
dim  light !  They  could  see  that  he  was  walking  confi- 
dently, and  yet  he  made  no  sound  that  they  could 
hear;  but  evidently  he  was  approaching,  and  still 
holding  their  guns  they  all  waited  for  him  to  come 
near. 


11 


There's  some 


ns  and  stood 
inger.  They 
nine  whether 
y  he  stepped 
I  ground  was 
f  even  in  the 
valking  confi- 
it  they  coukl 
ng,  and  still 
him  to  come 


EMUCFAU 


241 


CHAPTER    XXV 


EMUCFAU 


THE  approaching  Indian  was  soon  recognized  as 
their  missing  companion,  and  their  immediate 
fears,  as  a  consequence,  were  quieted;  but  the  report 
which  he  brought  was  alarming,  and  they  resolved  to 
make  all  possible  luiste  and  push  their  way  on  in  the 
darkness,  and  through  the  unknown  country. 

The  Indian  told  them  how  he  had  seen  the  mem- 
bei-s  of  the  other  party  apparently  scouring  the  woods, 
and  the  hunter  well  knew  that  when  they  had  begun 
a  search  of  that  kind  it  would  not  soon  be  abandoned. 
The  Indian  guides  now  led  the  way,  and  there  was 
nothing  for  the  white  men  to  do  except  to  follow  their 
directions.     However  strong  their  own  fears  were,— 
and  Josiah  did  not  hesitate  to  express  his  own  distrust 
freely,— there  was  nothing  left  for  them  to  do  but  to 
make  all  possible  haste  and  try  to  find  some  way  of 
eluding  their  pursuers. 

All  night  long  they  worked  their  way  onward,  occa- 
sionally stopping  to  rest  and  to  make  such  observa- 
tions as  they  could  of  the  region  about  them.    Several 


f 


I  5 


m^,^fki^0^t^immtti»,,. 


niiwi  Bm^jH^ti]- 


242 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


times  they  thought  they  recognized  the  presence  of 
their  pursuers,  but  each  time  they  were  fortunate 
enough  to  escape  without  observation,  and  when  the 
daylight  came  it  found  them  far  on  their  way. 

The  Indians  led  them  to  several  places  where  they 
could  lie  concealed,  and  where  they  took  such  rest  as 
they  could  gain.  The  journey  was  an  exciting  one 
now,  and  Tom  declared  that  }ie  thought  he  appreci- 
ated the  feeling  of  the  foxes  they  had  chased  when 
the  boys  had  been  on  their  hunting  expeditions  with 
Josiah. 

But  all  things  have  an  end,  and  at  last,  in  spite  of 
Josiah's  fears,  the  Indians  led  them  near  the  place 
which  they  had  no  difficulty  in  recognizing  as  the 
camp  of  General  Jackson.  Fort  Strother,  where  the 
general  made  his  headquarters,  presented  an  unusual 
appearance  as  our  little  party  entered. 

Near  the  gate  stood  a  tall,  vigorous  man,  apparently 
in  the  prime  of  life,  grasping  a  rifle  in  his  hands  and 
shouting  excitedly  to  the  soldiers  near  him,  who  evi- 
dently were  awed  by  his  words.  So  great  was  the 
excitement  among  the  men  that  but  little  attention 
was  paid  to  the  entering  party,  and  it  was  some  time 
before  they  learned  the  condition  of  affairs  at  the 
fort. 

They  were  rejoiced,  however,  at  soon  seeing  Jerry 
and  Tecumseh's  young  braves  approaching,  who  had 
succeeded  in  making  their  way  into  the  fort,  and  who 


.  jj^cJiai^Si!>iS!!!few,i..-;«iM'»pf-=^" 


rfgei»ii,*<i» 


presence  of 
'e  fortunate 
id  when  the 
lir  way. 
where  they 
such  rest  as 
sxciting  one 
he  appreci- 
jhased  when 
ditions  with 

t,  in  spite  of 
r  the  place 
izing  as  the 
!r,  where  the 
an  unusual 

1,  apparently 
3  hands  and 
im,  who  evi- 
reat  was  the 
tie  attention 
8  some  time 
fairs  at  the 

seeing  Jerry 
iig,  who  had 
ort,  and  who 


EMUCFAU 


249 


had  been  there  (or  several  .lays.    From  them  they 
,ea„,ed  that  many  of   the  -oWie^-the     ™  fo 
winch  they  had  enlisted  having  expired,  and  then  pay 
r.v  ng  heen  very  slow  in  coming  -had  threatened  to 
e  ™  and  how  on  this  ve^  day  the  feeling  had  be- 
oom  'so  »trong  that  a  large  Wy  of  men  W  ttown 
Z:  their  al  and  had  started  '» leave  ««-m^ 
General  JacWs  pleading,  apparently  '-'^  »ad  vey 
Httle  effect.     At  last,  e.^t«»te.    l«yond  the  power 
of  control,  he  had  taken  Ins  stand  '"/^'f  '^"^^^ 
vancing  men,  declaring  that  he  would  shoot  the  flret 
rrapprolch.    Their  spirit  evidently  wa.suM«e. 
hy  hU  ^tion,  and  the  bravery  of  the  hardy  sold^, 
„L  his  resolute  attitude  and  reckless  danng,  aceo^ 
ZLa  more  in  shaming  these  men  than  h,s  words  of 
command  and  entreaties  ever  had  done. 

Z  some  time  our  party  remained  in  the  camp  now, 
and  the  boys  watched  General  Jackson  with  mcreas- 
tng  inCt.  He  had  faced  his  trials  as  a  brave  man 
ho:R  and  in  spite  of  aU  the  d^ouragT n^,  ar- 
i„g  from  the  lack  of  supl»rt  on  the  part  »«  'he  Wa^ 
Department,  his  insufHcicnt  ei"?-"'',"'^"^  ™, 
willingness  of  the  men  to  remain  longer  than  the  toe 
Z  wMch  they  had  enlisted,  he  had  never  lost  heart 

He  was  determined  that  the  enterprise  on  wh'ch  he 
ha?  entered  should  be  sncce^fuUy  carne  ^rough 
to  Uie  end,  and  the  lessons  he  taught  the  boys  by 
^  :™  d:ring  and  his  unflinching  wiU  were  never 


^I 


•wsasK 


n  ijp>ij^j;|jwniiii'><rftf'MS!r*»wi<^  • 


•  ■  n  iiii0thmt0mi»n   iitfrmitijltrinimtiii  j;  i i^fiiiil^i. 


244 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


forgotten.  Apparently  he  was  always  in  motion,  and 
almost  alone  he  had  traversed  the  wilderness  between 
the  Coosa  and  the  Tennessee,  going  backward  and 
forward,  stopping  at  none  of  the  places  for  a  long 
time,  and  yet  lending  his  presence  and  his  aid  to  all 
the  movements. 

His  chief  desire  now  was  to  hasten  forward  the 
supplies  for  his  new  army,  which  was  quite  rapidly 
being  gathered,  and  which  was  to  take  the  place  of 
his  former  one.  The  boys  were  greatly  ii.  erested,  we 
may  be  sure,  when  they  saw  the  advance  of  these  new 
men. 

The  first  to  arrive  were  two  regiments,  many  of  the 
soldiers  being  mounted.  They  had  enlisted  for  sixty 
days  and  numbered  about  nine  hundred  men.  They 
were,  however,  raw  recruits  and  without  any  experi- 
ence in  Indian  warfare,  except  such  as  the  border 
men  continually  had  in  their  rough  life. 

General  Jackson  determined  to  put  them  in  motion 
at  once  and  start  towards  the  enemy.  The  Indians 
had  recovered  somewliat  from  their  late  disasters,  and 
were  beginning  to  show  an  aggressive  disposition 
again.  The  general  was  satisfied  that  this  must  be 
quickly  checked,  or  new  and  greater  dangers  would 
threaten  the  entire  region. 

It  was  the  fifteenth  of  January  when  Jackson 
led  his  new  trooixs  across  the  Coosa  to  the  place  where 
the  liattle  of  Talladega  had  taken  place.     There  he 


l<<|Hl|H^Hll.>ii, 


•«*4W>in>r 


i.^UIIJI  l"' 


EMUCFAU 


245 


notion,  and 
388  between 
kward  and 
for  a  long 
I  aid  to  all 

jrward  the 
lite  rapidly 
16  place  of 
erested,  we 

I  these  new 

nany  of  the 
}d  for  sixty 
len.  They 
any  experi- 
the  border 

II  in  motion 
he  Indians 
masters,  and 
disposition 
is  must  be 
gers  would 

n  Jackson 

jlace  where 

There  he 


was  joined  by  a  band  of  two  hundred  Indians,  most 
of  whom  were  Cherokees  and  friendly  Creeks ;  and 
there,  too,  came  Chief  Jim  Fife,  for  whom  our  boys 
had  named  one  of  Tecuraseh's  young  braves,  who,  as 
we  know,  was  famiUarly  called  "  Captain  Jim."  The 
warrior  had  brought  with  him  some  of  the  artillery 
that  had  remained  at  Fort  Strother  when  the  other 
troops  had  departed,  and  he  also  had  a  six-pounder  of 
which  he  was  exceedingly  proud.  Altogether  there 
were  nine  hundred  and  thirty  men  now  with  Jackson, 
besides  the  Indians,  and  with  these  he  started  on  what 
he  called  an  "  excursion  "  towards  the  Tallapoosa. 

In  advance  of  him  he  sent  two  companies  of  spies, 
who  frequently  reported  the  condition  of  affairs  in 
front.  General  Coffee,  who  had  only  forty  men  left 
of  all  his  followers,  all  the  others  having  deserted,  was 
also  among  the  number. 

On  the  twentieth  they  encamped  at  Enatochopco, 
near  the  Hillabee  creek.  Emucfau  was  only  twelve 
miles  distant  now,  and  for  this  place  the  entire  army 
started.  When  they  had  come  near  the  village,  the 
scouts  reported  that  they  had  found  a  beaten  trail, 
and  the  watchful  general  at  once  knew  that  a  large 
force  of  Indians  was  probably  not  far  away.  Accord- 
ingly he  thought  it  was  prudent  to  lialt,  and  recon- 
noitre before  advancing. 

He  doubled  the  number  of  his  sentinels,  sent  out 
spies  in  every  direction,  and  formed  his  troops  in  a 


^jWWffiffw3W^C*^*T"^  i^^'-'- 


l^    'XjjlLJ^' 


iiri'».it.i' 


246 


TECUMSEH'S   YOUNG   BRAVES 


II 


I 


hollow  square.  All  the  soldiera  were  excited  now, 
and  yet  there  was  a  silence  over  the  entire  army. 

Hour  after  hour  passed,  and  the  men  began  to  com- 
plain. They  were  kept  in  their  positions  uselessly, 
they  claimed,  and  yet  none  of  them  dared  to  dispute 
the  command  of  the  resolute  general.  The  scouts 
returned  about  midnight,  and  again  reported  that 
they  had  seen  numbers  of  the  Indians  prowling  about ; 
and  at  the  same  time  when  these  messages  were 
brought,  another  scout  entered,  reporting  to  the  gen- 
eral that  about  three  miles  away  there  was  a  large 
body  of  Indians  in  camp.  Some  of  these,  he  said, 
were  engaged  in  a  war  dance,  and  others  were  remov- 
ing the  women  and  cliildi'en  from  the  camp  as  rapidly 
*aa  possible. 

All  these  the  general  accepted  as  signp  of  an  imme- 
diate attack,  and  he  resolved  to  await  it  where  he 
then  was.  His  position  was  an  excellent  one,  and 
he  did  not  care  to  throw  away  his  advantage  by  mak- 
ing any  false  moves.  He  knew  that  the  usual  hour 
when  the  Indians  made  an  attack  was  near  morning, 
and  yet  he  did  not  wish  his  men  to  advance  then 
from  the  position  they  were  holding. 

The  long  night  passed,  and  just  as  the  first  gray  of 
the  dawn  was  seen,  the  Indians,  with  yells,  and  bran- 
dishing their  weapons,  fell  suddenly  and  with  great 
fury  on  the  left  flank  of  Jackson's  camp.  This  was 
composed  of  the  troops  which  Colonel  Higgins  was 


mmS!0. 


ccited  now, 
army. 

ypan  to  com- 
1  uselessly, 
to  dispute 
riie  scouts 
>orted  that 
ling  about ; 
sages  were 
to  the  gen- 
vas  a  large 
le,  he  said, 
vere  remov- 
)  as  rapidly 

^i  an  imrae- 
t  where  he 
it  one,  and 
ge  by  inak- 
usual  hour 
X  morning, 
v^ance  then 

irstgray  of 
I,  and  bran- 
with  great 
This  was 
[iggins  was 


EMUCFAU 


247 


commanding,  and  Geneml  Coffee  also  w.i8  there  and 
Imder  his  direction,  assisted  by  the  other  officei^,  these 
untrained  men  began  a  desperate  fight,  and  .u^tomshod 
themselves  by  their  own  coolness. 

The  Indians  were  held  in  check  for   ;,   time,  and 
when  the  light  became   clearer,  reinforced  now  by 
Captain  FerriU's   infantry,   General  Coffee  led  the 
whole  body  in  a  vigorous  charge  against  the  savages. 
This  was  too  much  for  the  Indian  courage,     ihey 
could  fight  much  better  in  a  sudden  attack  of  their 
own  than  they  could  when  the  situation  was  re- 
versed,  and   quickly  thrown    into    confusion,  they 
scattered  and  fied.    For  two  miles  the  soldiei^  pur- 
sued them,  and  many  an  Indian  fell  by  the  way. 

General  Jackson,  who  had  been  busy  every  mo- 
ment, as  soon  aa  he  saw  the  break  in  the  forces  of  , 
the  assailants,  immediately  sent  General  Coffee  with 
four  hundred  men  and  all  the  friendly  Indians  to 
destroy  all  the  camps  at  Emucfau. 

As  soon  as  they  appi-oached  this  place,  they  saw 
that  it  was  too  strongly  fortified  to  be  taken  without 
artillery;  so  General  Coffee  marched  back  for  the 
purpose  of  guarding  the  cannon  on  its  way  to  a  posi- 
tion where  it  could  be  brought  to  bear  upon  the  town. 
This  movement  was  misunderstood  by  the  Indians, 
and  they  thought  their  assailante  were  now  retreating, 
and  with  renewed  courage  a  large  body  of  them  tell 
upon  the  right  of  Jackson's  encampment. 


' 


"A.Jif.U 1" 


t.„!._JUlil 


4^' 


m 


248 


TECUMSEfl'S   YOUNG  IJKAVK8 


(leiioml  Coffee,  whose  excitement  liiul  nowl)ecoine 
inteiise,  obtaiMi'd  leave  to  load  two  luiiidred  nieii  to 
the  support  of  that  wing,  and  phuined  to  I'all  upon 
tlie  left  of  the  cuidny  at  the  same  iiionient  when  the 
friendly  Indians  should  fall  upon  their  right  flank. 
Here  a  great  mistake  was  made,  but  whose  fault  it 
was  no  one  ever  knew.  Only  Hfty-four  men  followed 
General  Coffee,  but  the  excited  officer,  without  wait- 
ing for  more,  at  once,  with  those  who  were  with  him, 
fell  upon  the  Indians,  and  General  Jackson  ordered 
the  friendly  Indians  at  the  same  time  to  fall  upon  the 
right  flank  of  the  foe. 

Quickly  his  order  was  oUiyed,  and  it  produced  a 
marked  effect.  The  plan  of  the  assailants  had  Ijeen 
to  attack  the  right  as  a  mere  fehit,  and  then  when 
attention  had  been  called  in  that  direction  to  fall 
with  their  main  force  on  the  left  flank,  wliich  they  bad 
expected  to  find  weakened  and  in  disorder. 

But  General  Jackson  was  too  wary  a  man  to  be 
caught  in  this  wise,  and  suspecting  some  such  move- 
ment, he  had  not  only  ordered  the  men  on  his  left  to 
remain  firm,  but  had  gone  there  at  om^c  himself,  and 
had  ordered  Captain  Ferrill  to  bring  the  reserves 
immediately  to  this  spot. 

As  a  consequence,  the  unsuspecting  enemy,  instead 
of  meeting  the  left  wing  in  their  attack,  met  the 
whole  main  body,  who,  after  two  or  tliree  volleys 
were   fired,  charged   them  with  the  bayonet.    This 


low  iMJCoine 
red  nieii  to 
()  fall  upon 
t  wlu!ii  the 
right  Haiik. 
)8e  fault  it 
sn  followed 
thout  wait- 
!  with  him, 
on  ordered 
11  upon  the 

produced  a 
s  liiid  Ijeen 
then  when 
on  to  fall 
h  they  had 

man  to  be 
luch  move- 
his  left  to 
mself,  and 
e  reserves 

ny,  instead 
:,  met  the 
ee  volleys 
net.    This 


EMUCPAU 


249 


was  too  much  for  the  Indians'  courage,  and  they  fled 
in  great  confusion  and  were  hotly  i)ui><ued  for  some 

distance. 

Meanwhile  the  friendly  Indiitius,  who  had  seen  the 
flight  of  the  foe,  were  unable  to  withstand  the  temp- 
tation which  was  ofTercd  them,  and  left  their  position 
on  the  right  and  j<.ined  in  the  chase,  all  the  while 
pouring  a  sharp  (in;  among  the  fugitives. 

(Jenenil  Coffee  all  this  time  was  stmggling  as  l)est 
he  could  against  the  Indians  who  had  a^isailed  the 
right  of  the  encampment.  When  the  friendly  In.l 
ians,  led  away  by  the  enthusiasm  of  the  purauit, 
deserted  him,  it  left  him  with  the  odds  greatly 
against  him;  but  Captain  Jim  Fife  with  a  hundred 
of  his  braves  soon  returned  from  the  chase,  and 
brought  aid  to  the  struggling  general  at  just  the 

right  time. 

His  assailants,  disconcerted  now  by  the  flight  of 
their  main  body,  gave  way  under  the  sharp  charge 
which  General  Coffee  led,  and  ran  in  every  direc- 
tion ui  their  endeavors  to  escape  ;  but  many  of  them 
fell  before  the  guns  and  the   tomahawks  of  their 

pursuers. 

General  Coffee  had  been  severely  wounded,  and 
several  of  his  men  had  faUen  and  others  were  wounded ; 
but  the  victory  they  had  won  served  in  part  to  com- 
pensate them  for  their  losses.  General  Jackson  was 
astonished  at  the  bravery  and  the  courage  of  the 


11 


'"min^MK.ihM  'hV 


yrf^" 


250 


TKCUMSKH'8   VOUNO    IJUAVKS 


V  I 


('rcekw,  and  decided  tliiit  it  would  Im^  iiiipniderit  to 
make  iiny  further  attempt  juHt  then  to  destroy 
EmucfftU. 

His  raid,  or  "excni'sion"  m  he  preferred  to  eall 
it,  had  iMien  hijjfhly  successful,  aiul  he  determined 
to  return  at  onccj  to  Kort  Stiother.  About  ten  o'ch)ck 
on  the  morning  of  the  twenty-third  of  J^iuury  the 
return  marcih  wiw  conunenced,  and  before  sunset  tiie 
army  luid  aiTived  at  Enotoehopeo  e«;ek,  where  they 
made  their  camp  for  the  night.  They  were  still 
watchful,  but  were  not  molested. 

The  next  morning  the  return  march  was  resumed, 
but  the  Indians,  who  had  mistaken  this  movement  for 
a  flight,  had  followed  the  men,  and  crossing  the  creek 
suddenly  appeared  in  force  on  their  rear.  An  alarm 
gun  brought  the  entire  army  to  a  halt,  and  Jackson 
immediately  changed  front  and  in  good  order  prepared 
to  meet  the  enemy. 

He  chose  his  own  ground  for  the  battle,  and  was 
confident  that  the  action  would  be  a  short  one ;  but 
to  his  great  surprise  his  men  who  had  behaved  so 
well  at  Emucfau  now  failed,  and  when  a  few  guns 
had  been  fked,  the  right  and  left  columns  of  the  rear 
•  guard  gave  way  and  began  to  flee.  These  drew  with 
them  the  greater  part  of  the  centre  column,  leaving 
not  more  than  twenty-five  men  to  support  Colonel 
Carroll,  who  was  at  the  head  of  that  portion  of  the 
army.     These  bravely  began  their  fight,  however,  and 


pniderit  to 
to   destroy 

•ed  to  call 
doU'niiiiu'd 
ton  o\'l()(!k 
^iiiiiry  tlio 
HUiiHet  tho 
where  they 
were   still 

IS  resumed, 
)veinent  for 
g  the  ereek 
An  alarm 
nd  Jackson 
ier  prepared 

)le,  and  waa 
rt  one ;  but 
behaved  so 
1  few  guns 
of  the  rear 
3  drew  with 
mn,  leaving 
3rt  Colonel 
rtion  of  the 
owever,  and 


EMUCKAU 


2:.  I 


order  was  soon  restored,  altliou^h  the  battle  was  huh- 
tained  by  this  little  handful. 

The  little  six-pounder,  of  which  mcrUion  already  luis 
kien  tnadc,  was  diagged  to  the  top  of  a  hill  in  the 
niidst  of  a  lire  from  a  foe  ten  times  the  numlM-r  of  the 
Tennessecans,  and  when  it  In-^'an  to  send  it**  grape- 
shot  among  the  enemy,  with  frightened  yells  they 
scattered  in  every  direetit)n.  For  more  than  two  miles 
the  white  men  puwued  them,  and  slew  many  of  their 
Indian  assailantH. 

In  these  two  engagements  of  Enuicfau  and  Enoto- 
chopco,  Jackson  lost  only  twenty  killed  and  seventy- 
five  wounded.  How  many  the  enemy  lost  they  never 
accurately  knew,  but  one  hundred  and  eighty-nine  of 
their  warrioiw  were  found  dead. 

The  march  was  then  resumed,  and  after  an  absenoe 
of  twelve  days  they  once  more  made  their  way  into 
Fort  Strother.  Here  plans  for  an  active  campaign 
were  formed,  and  exciting  scenes  were  soon  to  be 
enacted,  in  which  our  boys  and  Tecumseh's  young 
braves  had  no  s'nall  share. 


252 


TECUMSEU'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


CHAPTER    XXVI 


I 


THE   WRESTLERS 

■ 

FOR  a  few  weeks  now,  our  boys  remt.ined  in  Jack- 
son's camp.  The  life  there,  while  different  from 
the  stirring  experiences  which  recently  they  had  had, 
still  had  excitement  of  its  own,  and  offered  constant 
variety.  Most  of  the  militia  had  now  gone,  and  had 
left  the  camp  amidst  the  cheers  of  the  few  who  re- 
mained. 

General  Jackson,  though  sadly  perplexed  by  the 
loss  of  so  many  of  his  followers,  was  in  no  wise  dis- 
heartened, and  early  in  February  found  that  his 
ceaseless  activity  was  beginning  to  reap  its  reward. 
Reports  came  of  two  thousand  troops  from  East  Ten- 
nessee, which  were  then  pressing  on  towards  the 
Coosa,  and,  about  the  same  time,  as  many  more  ar- 
rived at  HuntMville  from  West  Tennessee.  His  joy 
was  still  further  increased  by  the  arrival  at  Fort 
Strother,  on  the  sixth,  of  the  Thirty-ninth  Regiment 
of  the  United  States  Army,  six  hundred  strong. 

Not  long  afterwards,  a  part  of  Coffee's  brigade  of 
mounted  men  came  into  the  fort,  and  also  a  troop  of 


'!'••  j>*iUf-'  ■'.-  '"  1"'.'%  -  ."}''".-".•''■'. .-f^"  -iJ!-",'' 


i  in  Jack- 
:erent  from 
y  had  had, 
d  constant 
le,  and  had 
5w  who  re- 

xed  by  the 

0  wise  dis- 
d  that  his 
its  reward. 

1  East  Ten- 
owards  the 
ly  more  ar- 
se. His  joy 
ral  at  Fort 
h.  Regiment 
trong. 

I  brigade  of 
»  a  troop  of 


THE  WRESTLERS 


253 


East  Tennessee  dragoons.  The  Choctaw  Indians, 
also,  now  openly  announced  their  allegiance  to  the 
United  States,  and  by  the  end  of  February  there  was 
every  promise  that  he  would  have  five  thousand  men 
under  his  command. 

Meanwliile  the  few  militia  in  the  camp  were  Vjusied 
in  the  construction  of  flat-boats,  and  our  boys  had  a 
share  in  this  work. 

Amongst  all  the  soldiers  there  was  a  feeling  of 
unbounded  admiration  for  General  Jackson,  and  many 
accounts  were  given  of  his  courage  and  his  prowess. 
At  that  time  he  bad  no  living  relatives,  but  his 
bravery,  his  physical  strength,  and  undaunted  will 
were  the  admiration  of  his  soldiers.  The  stories 
were  told  how  when  he  was  a  little  fellow  only  thir- 
teen <>v  fourteen  years  of  age  he  had  taken  part  in 
the  struggle  of  the  Colonists  against  Great  Britain. 
His  work  as  a  soldier,  his  courage  when  a  prisoner, 
and  his  kind  heart  were  the  themes  of  many  a  con- 
versation around  the  camp  fires. 

The  story,  which  is  now  familiar  to  every  boy,  of 
the  refusal  of  Jackson,  when  he  was  taken  prisoner, 
to  clean  the  boots  of  tha  British  commander,  was, 
perhapb,  the  most  frequently  told ;  and  the  wound  he 
had  received,  when  he  had  been  struck  on  the  head 
and  arms  with  the  sword  of  the  irritated  officer, 
aroused  the  anger  of  his  followers  even  then. 

His  brother  Robert,  who  also    had  refused   the 


i 


ill  ■; , 


254 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


brutal  eommaiid  of  the  same  oificer,  had  received  a 
wound  from  which  he  never  had  recovered.  They 
also  told  how,  when  Jackson  was  a  prisoner,  lie  had 
used  the  razor-blade,  which  liad  been  left  as  the  only 
means  by  which  the  captives  could  carve  their  food, 
to  remove  a  knot  in  the  wall  enclosing  the  prisoner's, 
and  had  witnessed  the  action  on  Hobkirk's  Hill. 

While  these  captives  had  been  suffering  from  small- 
pox, the  mother  of  the  Jackson  boys  effected  their 
exchange,  and  took  them  back  to  their  home  at 
Waxham,  where  Robert  died,  and  where  many  months 
passed  before  Andrew's  health  was  fully  restored. 
Their  widowed  mother  had  then  gone  to  Charleston 
to  aid  the  American  prisoners  there,  but  she  had  been 
stricken  with  ship  fever,  and  soon  died. 

Andrew,  as  we  know,  worked  for  a  time  in  a 
saddler's  shop,  and  then  taught  school ;  but  before  he 
had  completed  his  eighteenth  year  he  had  resolved  to 
become  a  lawyer,  and  although  he  paid  more  attention 
to  horse-racing,  foot-racing,  cock-fighting,  and  other 
similar  amusements  which  were  common  at  the  time, 
than  he  did  to  his  studies,  yet  he  managed  to  make 
a  fair  preparation,  and  soon  entered  upon  a  large 
practice. 

As  the  men  at  Fort  Strother  worked  at  the  flat- 
boats,  stories  of  Jackson's  personal  encounters  were 
frequently  told,  and  perhaps  incited  the  men  to 
many  similar  attempts,  for  the  tedium  of  the  camp 


,| 


IS 

ad  received  a 
ivered.  They 
isoner,  he  had 
"t  as  the  only 
ve  their  food, 
the  prisoner, 
•k's  Hill, 
ng  from  small- 
effected  their 
heir  home  at 
)  many  months 
Eully  restored, 
to  Charleston 
t  she  had  been 

a  time  in  a 
but  before  he 
lad  resolved  to 
more  attention 
ng,  and  other 
n  at  the  time, 
aged  to  make 

upon  -A  large 

ed  at  the  flat- 
counters  were 
the    men  to 
I  of  the  camp 


THE  WRESTLERS 


2r)r) 


life  was  relieved  by  frequent  contests  among  the  men. 
Their  games  were  rough,  and  oftentimes  led  to  feel- 
ings which  occasionally  resulted  in  a  duel,  although 
this  was  strongly  condemned  by  the  general  himself. 
They  shot  at  a  mark,  threw  knives  at  a  small  piece  of 
paper  fastened  to  a  tree,  flung  hatchets  and  tomahawks 
as  tests  of  skill,  and  frequently  engaged  in  wrestling- 
bouts.  These  were  some  of  the  rotigh  means  the 
hardy  soldiers  found  to  relieve  their  lonesomeness 
and  test  their  skill  and  strength.  These  tests  often 
led  to  quarrels  which  became  at  times  bitter  and  full 
of  danger,  but  the  work  of  building  the  flat-boats  went 
steadily  on. 

The  Indians  did  not  work,  but  employed  their 
time  either  in  trying  to  furnish  game  and  thereby 
add  to  the  scanty  supplies  of  the  camp,  or  else  they 
sat  in  silence  and  watched  the  white  men  at  their 
labors. 

Among  the  militia  there  was  one  young  man  who 
had  gained  the  name  of  "  Big  Bob."  He  was  a 
quarrelsome  man,  perhaps  three  or  four  years  older 
than  our  boys,  and  played  the  part  of  a  bully  amongst 
the  men.  He  had  been  brought  into  contact  with  Tom 
several  times  in  his  labors,  and  for  some  reason,  ap- 
parently had  acquired  a  strong  dislike  for  our  hardy 
young  soldier.  He  had  noticed  his  warm  feeling  for 
Tecumseh's  young  braves,  and  as  a  method  of  torment- 
inf  him  had  made  disparaging  remaiks  about  the 


\l 


^■P 


256  TKCUMSKJrS  YOUNG   lUi.WES 

young  Iiuliiins,  and  had  done  all  ho  could  to  annoy 

them. 

At  last  Tom  ventured  to  enter  a  protest,  wliich  the 
bully  took  as  a  personal  grievance.  Warm  words 
followed,  and  in  a  few  momenta  Big  Bob  had  chal- 
lenged our  young  soldier.  Tom  had  no  wish  to  fight, 
and  yet  he  could  not  see  his  way  to  avoid  a  conflict, 
knowing  as  he  tlid  the  feelings  of  the  men  and  the 
interpretation  they  would  place  upon  his  refusal. 

Josiah  Fletcher  undertook  the  work  of  peacemaking, 
and  in  a  long  interview  which  he  had  with  Big  Bob 
tried  to  effect  a  compromise  by  a  shooting-match.     To 
all  his  proposals,  however,  the  bully  would  not  listen. 
Strong  in  his  confidence  in  his  own  power,  and  per- 
haps feeling  that  the  young  soldier  was  afraid  of  him, 
he  scornfully  refused  all  the  overtures  of  Josiah,  until 
at  last  the  hunter  proposed  that  instead  of  a  duel 
with  guns,  they  should  have  a  wrestling-match  in  the 
presence  of  the  others.     Big  Bob  agreed  to  this  last 
proposal,  declaring  that  he  would  "eat  up  the  little 
upstart,  and  not  leave  a  piece  of  him  large  enough 
to  be  found  by  the  crows." 

The  match  was  arranged  for  the  following  day, 
and  it  soon  became  evident  that  Big  Bob  intended  to 
do  all  the  harm  possible  to  the  young  soldier.  Tom 
had  accepted  the  compromise  of  Josiah,  but  all  Uirough 
the  day  he  was  quiet  and  thoughtful,  as  he  well  knew 
the  strength  of  his  opponent  and  the  possibiUty  of  a 


■MP 


TIIK   WRESTLpniS 


£07 


Id  to  annoy 

;t,  wliich  the 
Tuvm  words 
)b  had  chal- 
krish  to  fight, 
id  a  conflict, 
nen  and  the 
refusal. 
)eacemaking, 
ith  Big  Bob 
[-match.     To 
Id  not  listen, 
vver,  and  per- 
iraid  of  him, 
Josiah,  until 
id  of  a  duel 
-match  in  the 
1  to  this  last 
up  the  little 
large  enough 

Dllowing  day, 
lb  intended  to 
3oldier.  Tom 
ut  all  liirough 
he  well  knew 
•ossibility  of  a 


defeat  which  would  make  him  the  laughing-stock  of 
the  camp. 

The  match  was  taken  up  by  the  men,  and  soon  all 
were  interested  in  the  coming  event.  Tom  spent 
some  little  time  in  practising  witli  his  brother  and 
Captain  Jim,  who  wiis  liimself  no  mean  wrestler,  and 
who  knew  some  tricks  which  he  tried  to  teach  his 
friend. 

The  next  day  th.e  arrangements  were  completed, 
and  the  time  soon  came  when  the  ccmtest  was  to  take 
place.  A  large  ring  had  l)eeu  formed,  around  wliich 
gathered  nearly  all  the  soldiers  of  the  camp.  As  Big 
Bob  stepped  fortli  from  the  crowd  of  soldiera,  Josiah 
could  not  conceal  his  fear,  for  the  bully  was  well 
named.  He  towered  above  his  young  rival  by  a  head, 
and  liis  large  frame  apparently  wfis  the  very  embodi- 
ment of  strength.  He  was  at  least  twenty-five  pounds 
heavier  than  Tom,  and  his  added  years  gave  him 
another  advanttige  ;  and  yet  as  the  hunter  noticed  his 
young  friend  he  could  not  conceal  his  feeling  of  con- 
fideiicG  in  his  ability  to  care  for  himself. 

Torn  AVius  somewhat  pale  and  very  qmet.  He 
uttered  no  such  boastful  words  as  his  rival  did,  and 
well  knew  that  the  task  before  liim  was  no  slight  one ; 
and  yet  the  young  soldier  was  no  mean  antagonist. 
While  he  was  smalier  and  lighter  than  Big  Bob,  his 
body  was  athletic  and  the  muscles  stood  out  on  his 
frame  like  wlupcords.     His  long  experience  in   the 


258 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG   BRAVES 


*p- 


pioneer  life  felling  the  trees,  and  doing  such  heavy 
work  iw  came  upon  the  hoys  after  their  father's  death, 
had  developed  every  muscle  of  his  hody,  and  Josiah 
knew  that  he  would  do  his  host,  and  that  "  hest " 
would  he  something  of  which  he  need  not  ho  ashamed, 
if  no  accitlent  or  unfair  methods  were  used. 

In  spite  of  the  cold  the  men  stripped  to  the  waist 
and  turned  to  the  umpire  for  him  to  give  the  word 

to  U'gin. 

'•'  Which  shall  it  he,"  said  the  man,  who  had  heen 
selected  to  serve  in  tliat  capacity,  "a  square  hold  or 
a  side  hold?" 

"  A  square  hold,"  said  Tom. 

"I  don't  want  any  square  hold,"  growled  the  big 
bully ;  "  that's  only  fit  for  baby  play  and  boys.  If  we're 
going  to  have  a  square  test,  let's  have  a  side  hold." 

Tom,  stung  by  the  scornful  words  of  Big  Bob, 
acquiesced,  although  he  knew  that  this  gave  every 
advantage  to  his  rival,  for  size  and  weight  would 
count  for  much  in  a  struggle  of  this  kind;  but  the 
young  soldier  determined  that,  come  what  would,  he 
would  show  no  signs  of  fear.  His  heart  was  cheered 
as  he  noted  the  evident  sitnis  of  sympathy  for  him 
amongfst  the  soldiers. 

"  All  ready,  then,"  said  the  umpire.     "  It  will  be 
the  best  two  out  of  three  falls." 

Big  Bob  laughed  as  he  said,  "  There'll  be  only  one 
fall.     That'll  be  enough." 


max 


-"^ter: 


THE  WRESTLERS 


259 


■  such  heavy 
ithei's  death, 
r,  and  Josiah 
that  "Ixjst" 
b  be  ivsliamed, 
ed. 

I  to  the  waist 
ive  the  word 

wlio  had  been 
qiiare  hold  or 

owled  the  big 
(oys.    If  we're 
,  side  hold." 
of   Big  Bob, 
is  gave  every 
weight  would 
kind ;  but  the 
/hat  would,  he 
t  was  cheered 
pathy  for  him 

.     "  It  will  be 

'11  be  only  one 


He  was  full  of  confidence,  perhaps  a  trifle  over-con- 
fident, and  yet  Tom  realized  Jis  he  faced  him  now,  that 
his  antagonist  was  one  not  to  be  despised,  and  that  all 
his  strength  and  skill  would  be  called  into  use. 

With  a  quick  movement  the  men  grasped  each  other 
and  the  struggle  began.  Big  Bob  tried,  by  putting 
forth  all  his  strength,  to  tlirow  Tom  in  such  a  way  that 
he  would  fall  upon  him  and  perhaps  crush  him  with  his 
weight,  but  he  was  surprised  when  he  found  that  the 
task  was  not  so  easily  accomplished  as  he  had  thought. 
The  young  pioneer  was  not  to  be  caught  off  his 
guard,  and  was  holding  liis  own  in  a  way  that  sur- 
prised the  bully,  and  brought  a  cheer  from  the  soldiers, 
who  were  interested  spectators.  Several  times  Tom 
wavered  and  almost  lost  his  balance,  but  he  clung 
to  his  opponent  each  time  and  managed  to  keep  his 
position. 

At  last  both  men  were  seen  to  topple,  and  in  a 
moment  it  was  evident  there  would  be  a  fall. 

"  There  they  go ! "  shouted  the  men  as  together  the 
wrestlers  fell  upon  the  ground ;  but  even  then  the 
bully  was  unable  to  force  hia  rival  upon  his  back,  and 
found,  when  he  tried  to  move,  that  his  own  head  wps 
held  as  in  a  vice.  Side  by  side  the  two  men  lay,  the 
face  of  each  upon  the  ground,  and  unable  to  move, 
until  with  a  sudden  motion  the  bully  drew  back 
his  fist  and  struck  Tom  in  the  face. 

A  shout  of  anger  was  heard  among  the  spectators 


vtttmt  ,,i    mil:"  i^ii ' .  jpwiiu.i  »m 


tffmw 


260  TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVB8 

and  a  cry  of  "  foul  "  arose  from  the  crowd,  and  in  a 
moment  the  struggling  men  were  torn  apart.  A  few 
moments  of  rest  followed,  and  then  the  struggle  began 
again.  Big  Bob  was  breathing  hard  now  and  evi- 
dently was  very  angry,  and  he  entered  into  the  work 
with  even  more  spirit  than  before,  and  lees  than  a 
minute  had  passed  before  he  had  caught  his  young 
antagonist  and  thrown  him  to  the  ground,  falling 
heavily  upon  him  as  he  went  down.  The  fall  was 
fair,  and  evidently  not  unexpected  by  the  men. 

Another  rest  followed,  and  Tom  as  he  glanced 
about  him  could  see  that  while  the  sympathy  was  with 
him,  almost  none  of  the  crowd  thought  he  was  a 
match  for  his  bulky  foe. 

A  third  trial  now  foUowed,  and  as  Tom  stepped 
into  the  ring  Captain  Jim  whispered  to  him,  "  Try 
the  trick."  Tom  nodded  his  head  by  way  of  reply, 
and  in  a  moment  the  struggle  was  renewed.  Both 
wrestlers  were  straining  now,  and  doing  their  utmost 
to  end  the  contest.  Several  times  Tom  almost  fell, 
but  managed  to  regain  his  position,  and  for  a  time 
held  out  against  his  heavy  antagonist. 

"  He's  down !  he's  down !  "  shouted  the  men,  as 
again  Tom  almost  lost  his  balance.  "  No,  he  isn't ! " 
shouted  others,  as  they  saw  the  young  soldier  regain 
his  position  and  cling  desperately  to  the  bully. 

Tom  was  in  a  position  now  where  he  could  look 
out  upon  the  crowd.  Who  was  that  man  standing 
on  the  outer  edge?    Could  it  be  General  Jackson? 


s 

3wd,  and  in  a 
part.     A  few 
truggle  began 
low  and  evi- 
nto  the  work 
d  lees  than  a 
[ht  his  young 
round,  falling 
The  fall  was 
the  men. 
s  he  glanced 
athy  was  with 
;ht  he   was  a 

Tom  stepped 
to  him,  "  Try 

way  of  reply, 
snewed.  Both 
ig  their  utmost 
m  almost  fell, 
ind  for  a  time 
t. 

d  the  men,  as 
No,  he  isn't ! " 
;  soldier  regain 
le  bully. 

he  could  look 
,  man  standing 
neral  Jackson? 


tr 


F 


"Ik-  was  thrown  lu'iiillDiia-  iiiul  liiinl  iqiDii  tin-  tirouiul." 

I'lKIr     -JO  I. 


I 


1JIMP      m^mmmi^mmg/m 


v.- 


»^l,niiAi'»***i*~*'»— ■"•- 


|ftUgfcjlff>>Wi^ 


I 


tf^^^jjUaSEmitmm'inx 


^.^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVi/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


jfe. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


iL 


THE   WRESTLERS 


261 


Yes,  it  certainly  was,  and  apparently  he  was  an 
interested  spectator.  Again  Tom  almost  fell,  but  as 
he  regained  his  position  he  found  the  opportunity  for 
which  he  had  been  waiting.  The  bully's  arm  had 
slipped  a  little  lower  in  the  struggle  than  it  ought  to 
have  been,  and  the  young  soldier  was  quick  to  take 
advantage  of  the  weakness  in  his  antagonist. 

Putting  forth  all  his  might,  he  grasped  the  bully 
about  the  neck  and  slipped  under  him,  exerting  all 
his  strength  as  he  tried  to  throw  him  over  his  back. 
His  head  was  bent  far  down  now,  and  a  shout  of 
encouragement  rose  from  the  spectators  as  they  saw 
Big  Bob  lifted  for  a  moment  from  the  ground ;  but  by 
a  desperate  effort  he  regained  his  position,  although 
he  found  himself  helpless  in  the  grasp  of  his  foe. 
Again  Tom  put  forth  all  his  strength,  this  time 
exerting  himself  as  he  never  had  done  before,  and  the 
shouts  of  the  crowd  redoubled. 

Big  Bob  had  lost  the  advantage.  Slowly  his  feet 
came  up  from  the  ground,  and  almost  before  he  was 
aware  of  it  his  body  was  brought  over  that  of  the 
young  soldier  beneath  him  and  he  was  thrown  head- 
long and  hard  upon  the  ground,  lymg  at  full  length, 
and  stunned  for  a  moment  by  the  fall. 

The  young  soldier  turned  to  the  crowd,  which  now 
was  cheering  and  shouting  as  though  it  had  gained 
a  victory  over  the  Creek  nation  itself.  They  were 
rude  and  rough  men,  and  the  "rough  and  tumble" 


262 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


which  they  had  just  witnessed,  and  which  was  a 
strut,'gle  after  their  own  hearts,  made  them  heip  their 
congratuhitions  upon  the  young  hero,  for  as  such 
they  regarded  him. 

Tom,  the  moment  he  had  thrown  his  antagonist, 
had  started  from  the  ring.  He  was  panting  from  his 
exertions,  and  could  scarcely  reply  to  the  words  of 
pi-aise  that  were  heaped  upon  him.  Josiah,  a.s  proud 
as  though  Tom  had  l)een  his  own  boy,  was  shaking 
him  by  the  hand,  but  Tecumseh's  young  braves, 
though  they  had  been  interested  spectators,  were  silent. 
"Tom,"  said  Josiah,  "did  you  know  General 
Jackson  had  been  here,  and  that  he  saw  you  throw 
that  big  bully?" 

"  Yes,  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  him  just  before  I  tried 
that  trick  Captain  Jim  taught  me,  and  I  reckon  it 
was  the  sight  of  him  that  gave  me  strength  enough 
to  lift  that  big  fellow.  I  feel  as  though  I  had  been 
moving  a  mountain." 

"That's  all  right  as  long  as  you  moved  it,"  said 
Josiah.  "  But  the  general  says  he  wants  to  see  you, 
and  he  wants  you  to  come  to  his  tent  at  once." 

Joined  by  Jerry  they  left  the  assembly  and  started 
towards  the  quarters  of  the  general,  wondering  what 
the  summons  could  mean,  and  half  afraid  that  some 
punishment  would  be  mea.sured  out  to  them  for 
engaging  in  the  struggle  through  which  they  had  just 
passed. 


'hich  was  a 

m  heip  their 

for  as  such 


4 


THE  CANE-COVERED  CAVES 


263 


■I  antagonist, 
ing  from  lus 
the  words  of 
iah,  as  proud 
was  shaking 
3ung  braves, 
3,  were  silent, 
[low  General 
w  you  throw 

before  I  tried 
i  I  reckon  it 
mgth  enough 
1  I  had  been 

aved  it,"  said 
its  to  see  you, 
b  at  once." 
ly  and  started 
)ndering  what 
aid  that  some 
to  them  for 
I  they  had  just 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

THE  CANE-COVERED   CAVES 

AUR  young  hero,  for  as  such  he  was  regarded  by 
all  the  men  in  the  assembly  now,  quickly  re- 
covered from  the  effects  of  the  struggle  through 
which  he  had  passed,  and  with  his  friend  Josiah 
soon  arrived  at  the  general's  quarters. 

"  I  wonder  what  Old  Hickory  wants  of  you,"  said 
the  hunter. 

"I  don't  know  any  more  about  it  than  you  do," 
replied  Tom.  "  But  why  is  it  all  the  men  call  him 
♦Hickory'?" 

"  Oh,  that  was  a  name  they  gave  him  when  he  led 
his  army  })ack  to  Tennessee  after  that  fiasco  last  year. 
They  said  he  was  as  tough  as  the  hickory.  He 
wouldn't  give  up  and  couldn't  be  broken,  and  some- 
how the  name  has  stayed  by  him  ever  since;  but 
here  we  are,  and  we'll  soon  find  out  what  he  wants 
of  you." 

They  were  at  once  admitted  into  the  presence  of 
the  general,  and  here  Tom  again  found  all  his  courage 
going  from  him.    The  tall  form  of  Andrew  Jackson, 


/r*" 


264       TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVE8 

his  determined  look,  and  above  all  the  respect  which 
he  commanded,  so  impressed  the  bashful  boy  that  he 
was  at  a  loss  for  words. 

«I  saw  you,"  said  the  general  abruptly,  "lift  that 
great  hulking  mass  of  humanity  off  from  the  ground 
and  aing  it  over  your  back.     You   did  well.      I've 
been  known  as  something  of  a  rough-and-ready  man 
m\'self,  and  I  think  I  appreciate  the  qualities  you 
showed  as  well  as  another;   but  I  want  to  say  one 
thin<r  to  you,  young  man,  and  that  is  -  Don't  you  ever 
go  any  further  than  a  wrestling-bout.    I  could  tell  you 
of  some  of  my  own  experiences,"  ana  the  general's 
face  was  clouded  as  he  spoke, "  but  I  didn't  bring  you 
here  to  talk  about  that.    I  want  you  Co  do  some  work 
forme.    Will  you  do  it  ?  " 

"  I'll  try,"  replied  Tom,  wondering  what  it  could 
be  that  General  Jackson  desired  of  him. 

"WeU,  I  think,"  said  the  general,  "that  we've 
brought  this  Creek  war  nearly  to  an  end,  but  I  hear 
that  they're  gathering  all  their  warriors  at  the  Horse 
Shoe,  and  I  want  to  know  a  little  more  about  it. 
Do  you  know  where  that  is,  and  do  you  think  you 
could  find  your  way  there  and  report  to  me  the  con- 
dition of  affairs  ?  " 

"I  do,"  spoke  up  the  hunter  quickly;  "and  as 
probably  1  shall  go  with  him  if  he  goes,  there'll  be  no 
trouble  in  finding  the  way." 

"  Well,  I've  sent  some   others  out  on  the  same 


i 


pect  which 
boy  tliat  he 

,  "lift  that 
the  ground 
\vell.  I've 
1-ready  man 
iialities  you 
to  say  one 
n't  you  ever 
r.uld  tell  you 
lie  general's 
I't  bring  you 
0  some  work 

hat  it  could 
1. 

"that  we've 
d,  but  I  hear 
at  the  Horse 
)re  about  it. 
)U  think  you 
me  the  con- 

kly ;  "  and  as 
there'll  be  no 

on  the  same 


THE   CANE-COVEREl)  CAVES 


2C5 


errand,"  said  the  general,  "  but  I  want  you  to  go 
too.  It's  a  tough  contract.  You'll  want  a  little  of 
the  hickory  about  you,  and  you  showed  me  in  that 
rough  and  tumbhj  of  yours  tliat  you  weren't  afraid, 
anyway.  You  say  you  know  the  way  ?"  he  continued, 
turning  to  Josiah. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  the  hunter. 
"  Well,  I  want  you  to  go  right  away,"  and  the 
general  acted  as  though  he  was  about  to  leave  tliem. 
"  But,  general,"  interposed  Tom,  who  at  last  had 
found  courage  to  speak,  "my  brother  is  here  with 
me,  and  there  are  three  young  Indians  who  are  friends 
of  ours,  and  I  should  like  to  have  them  go  too." 

"  It's  a  pretty  large  party,"  replied  the  general. 
"Let  me  see,  that'll  be  six  altogether.  Perhaps 
you'll  be  the  stronger  for  it,  though,  so  take  them 
along  with  you  and  start." 

Josiah  and  Tom  at  once  left  the  general's  quarters 
and  started  to  return  to  their  companions. 
"  He's  hickory,  isn't  he  ?  "  said  Tom. 
"  Yes,  and  he's  shown  it  in  ways  beside  his  tough- 
ness on  a  march,"  replied  Josiah. 
"  How's  that  ?  "  asked  Tom. 

"  Why,  he's  had  three  or  four  rows  that  have  made 
him  a  marked  man  in  all  this  part  of  the  country. 
Away  back  in  1806  he  had  a  quarrel  with  a  man 
named  Charles  Dickinson.  He  was  a  popular  man, 
and  the  trouble  almost  broke  Jackson  up.    It  seems 


■«H«fMP«f-"(HpM 


.     I 


2(5»; 


TECUMSKira   YOUNG   UHAVKS 


Dickinson  made  soiiio  rcinurks  iiltout  Jackson's  wifr, 
and  tlicy  had  some  i)rctty  high  words.  Jackson 
thought  tliat  Dickinson  wiw  being  used  by  his  ene- 
mies, and  so  he  tried  to  prevent  a  row.  In  fact,  he 
toUl  his  father-in-hiw  to  stop  him,  if  he  could;  but 
some  meddlers  made  the  matter  worse,  and  finally  just 
when  Dickinson  was  going  to  start  on  a  flat-lxjat  for 
New  Orleans,  he  wrote  Jackson  a  very  insulting  letter, 
calling  him  a  coward,  a  liar,  and  I  don't  know  what 
all.  Jackson  knew  that  Dickinson  would  practise 
with  his  pistol  all  the  way  down  the  river  and  back 
again,  but  in  three  or  four  months  Dickinson  returned 
to  Nashville  and  came  out  worse  than  ever  .against 
Jackson.  The  general  then  challenged  him  at  once, 
and  they  arranged  a  duel  for  the  thirtieth  of  May. 
They  went  out  on  the  bank  of  the  Red  river  early 
one  morning,  and  took  their  places  eight  paces  apart. 
Dickinson  had  aimed  at  Jackson's  heart,  and  when 
the  word  was  given  he  fired,  and  bioke  a  rib  and 
raked  his  breast-bone ;  but  Jackson  never  complained, 
and  Dickinson  yelled,  'Have  I  missed  him?'  but 
Hickory  then  aimed,  and  Dickinson  fell  so  wounded 
that  he  died  that  night." 

"  Why  didn't  he  want  him  to  know  that  he  had  hit 
him  ?  "  asked  Tom. 

"  Oh,  Dickinson  thought  he  was  the  best  shot  in  the 
world,  and  Hickory  didn't  propose  to  give  him  all  that 
pleasure  of  knowing  he  had  hit  him.     Then  he  had 


Jack.siiii's  wifr, 
rds.  Jackson 
led  by  his  ene- 
7.  Ill  fact,  he 
he  could;  but 
md  finally  just 
a  flat-l)oat  for 
nsulting  letter, 
n't  know  what 
kvould  practise 
•iver  and  back 
inson  returned 
a  ever  against 
'd  him  at  once, 
rtieth  of  May. 
ed  river  early 
it  paces  apart, 
art,  and  when 
)ke  a  rib  and 
er  complained, 
id  him?'  but 
ill  80  wounded 

hat  he  had  hit 

est  shot  in  the 

'^e  him  all  that 

Then  he  had 


THE  CANE-COVEKKI)  C'AVKS 


2(;7 


trouble  with  Aaron  Burr,  but  ho  got  out  of  that  all 
right,  though  some  are  still  suspicious  of  him;  and  last 
year  he  had  a  great  time  with  Colonel  Benton.  They 
met  in  the  streets  at  last  after  a  good  many  quarrels, 
and  Jackson  drew  his  pistol,  but  he  was  not  quick 
cnougli,  for  Benton  fired  first,  but  he  ran  and  Jackson 
after  him,  and  then  Jesse  Benton  fired  at  Hickory 
and  shattered  his  left  shoulder.  Jackson  fell,  and  the 
trouble  was  taken  up  by  friends.  Benton  would  have 
been  killed  if  outsiders  hadn't  interfered.  Jackson 
suffered  a  good  deal,  and  all  the  doctors  but  one 
wanted  to  take  off  his  arm ;  but  he  w.is  hickory  then 
just  as  he  is  now,  and  he  wouldn't  allow  them  to  take 
it  off." 

"  He's  got  it  yet,"  said  Tom. 

"Yes,"  replied  Josiah,  "but  it  isn't  of  much  use 
to  him.  He  carried  it  in  a  sling  when  he  started  on 
this  trip.  But  here  comes  your  friend  Big  Bob.  Per- 
haps he'll  make  trouble  for  you  again." 

Tom  quickly  glanced  in  the  direction  Josiah  indi- 
cated, and  saw  that  liis  companion  was  right ;  but  as 
the  bully  was  alone,  the  fear  which  Josiph's  words  at 
first  aroused  subsided,  and  he  waited  too  his  rival 
to  approach.  He  was  surprised  as  he  d^ew  near  to 
find  that  instead  of  anger  it  was  a  feeling  of  admi- 
ration which  his  bulky  antagonist  displayed. 

"  That  was  a  great  trick  you  had,  Tom,"  said  Big 
Bob.     "It  was  all  a  trick,  of  course,  I  know  that. 


\\ 


2(58 


TKCUMSKH'S   YOUNG   HKAVE8 


VVIiy,  I  cDiild  lift  you  off  your  feet  and  throw  you  a 
mile  if  I  could  only  get  u  good  hold." 

"  There's  uo  doubt  about  tliat,"  replied  Tom,  with 
a  laugh. 

"  Well,  tell  me  about  it,"  said  Bob.  "  If  you'll 
teach  me  that  trick  I'll  give  you  the  best  cow  in 
Alabama." 

Tom  laughed  again  as  he  replied,  "  Some  day,  per- 
liai)S,  I  will." 

They  soon  found  their  companions  and  made  their 
arrangements  to  start  at  once  for  lloree  Shoe  Hend. 
They  were  to  go  down  the  Coosa  lus  far  iis  Hatchet 
creek,  which  Josiah  told  them  was  about  fifty  miles 
away,  then  they  were  to  strike  across  the  country,  a 
distance  of,  perhaps,  fifty  miles  to  this  Horae-Shoe 
Bend,  as  it  was  called,  where  Jackson  had  heard  tlie 
Creeks  were  gathering.  Two  canoes  were  soon  se- 
cured, and  provisioned  as  well  as  possible  from  the 
scanty  supplies  in  the  camp,  and  without  explaining 
the  reason  for  their  departure  they  at  once  started  on 
their  voyage. 

They  were  going  with  the  current,  and  yet,  as  they 
were  desirous  of  making  the  best  possible  time,  they 
used  their  paddles,  two  paddling  continuously,  and 
the  third  relieving  each  for  a  time.  They  knew  the 
country  was  filled  with  bands  of  prowling  Indians,  all 
of  whom  were  reported  to  be  making  their  way  towards 
the  Horse  Shoe  Bend.     They  were  therefore  desirous 


i^is-ip-i  tiiitl%,,isf^*i:aefmilm.M--- 


^E8 

tl  throw  you  a 

lied  Tom,  with 

ab.  "  If  you'll 
»e  best  cow  in 

Some  day,  per- 

md  made  their 

ree  Shoe  Heiid. 

far  as  Hatchet 

)Out  fifty  miles 

the  country,  a 

his  Horae-Shoe 

had  heard  tlio 

were  soon  se- 

ssible  from  the 

lOUt  explaining 

once  started  on 

md  yet,  as  they 
lible  time,  they 
itinuously,  and 
They  knew  the 
ing  Indians,  all 
eir  way  towards 
3refore  desirous 


1 


THE  CANE-COVKKEl)  CAVES 


2(59 


of  (;(Hiiplcting  their  expediticm  iw  soon  as  possible,  and 
of  returning  to  Fort  Strother. 

All  (lay  long  they  sent  their  little  canoes  forward, 
not  stopping  for  rest  until  it  was  late  in  the  afternoon. 
Hut  what  should  they  do  for  the  night  ?  Josiah  ad- 
vised that  no  stop  should  bo  made;  but  the  boys  were 
l)e;)eming  weary  now,  and  it  was  apparent  that  a  brief 
rest,  at  least,  must  be  taken. 

Captain  Jim  explained  to  them  that  a  little  farther 
down  the  stream  he  knew  where  there  were  some 
caves  on  the  river's  bank,  and  these  would  afford  both 
a  protection  and  a  shelter. 

These  caves,  as  we  know,  had  bden  dug  at  frequent 
intervals  along  the  banks  of  the  Alabama  rivers,  and 
were  used  by  the  Indians  as  places  of  refuge.  Each 
was  capable  of  concealing  three  or  four  men,  and  they 
were  covered  over  with  cane  in  such  a  manner  that 
no  one  would  suspect  their  presence,  unless  he  knew 
where  to  look.  They  were  dry,  and  would  afford  a 
good  shelter  for  the  night;  and,  somewhat  reluctantly, 
Josiah  gave  his  consent. 

In  the  course  of  an  hour  they  arrived  at  the  place 
where  Captain  Jim  told  them  these  caves  were,  but 
they  went  a  little  farther  down  the  stream,  and,  hid- 
ing their  canoes  among  the  bushes,  waded  back  to  the 
liiding-places.  This  would  conceal  their  trail,  and 
prevent  any  one  from  suspecting  their  presence.  They 
found  the  places  as  Captain  Jim  had  described,  and 


( 


270 


TKCUMSKirS   YOUNG   BUAVKS 


oven  .losiivh  wius  tnitlmsiiistit!  wlu-ii  lu)  suw  how  dry 
and  slufltercd  tlioy  \v»'re. 

"  It's  a  f,'ood  placo  to  Hleep  in,"  said  Jerry,  "  and 
I'm  ready  for  a  nap,  too." 

"  Well,  we'll  turn  right  in,"  said  the  hunter.  "  We'll 
have  to  use  two  of  the  caves,  as  there  are  six  of  us, 
and  three  will  fill  up  one  pretty  well.  What  shall  we 
do  al)ont  a  guard  ?  " 

Captain  Jim  at  once  volunteered,  and  took  his  seat 
ui)on  the  bank  as  the  others  entered  the  caves.  The 
cane  covering  mm  replaced  over  the  entrances,  and 
this  allowed  the  air  to  enter  freely.  They  were  so 
warm  that  the  boys  found  their  desire  for  sleep  inten- 
sified, and  in  a  few  moments  all  except  the  young 
Indian,  who  was  the  guard,  were  asleep. 

Just  how  long  they  slept  they  could  not  tell,  but 
they  were  roused  by  the  young  brave,  who  told  them 
that  lie  could  see  two  canoes  coming  down  the  river. 
There  was  con Jusion  in  our  party  at  once,  but  it  was 
soon  decided  ttfit  the  safest  course  to  follow  would 
be  for  all  five  of  them  to  remain  within  the  caves, 
and  for  Captain  Jim  to  report  his  further  discoveries. 
Josiah  objected  to  this  plan  somewhat.  "  If  it's  a 
band  of  redskins  it's  just  m  likely  i\s  not  they'll  catch 
us  here  like  a  woodchuck  in  his  hole."  But  as  all 
the  others  were  confident  that  it  would  be  better  for 
them  to  remain  concealed,  he  reluctantly  consented, 
and  left  Captain  Jim  alone  on  guard. 


»^ 


•iJMlllHw.*-- 


ES 

I)  Hiiw  how  dry 

d  Jerry,  "ami 

unter.  "Wo'll 
are  six  of  us, 
What  shall  we 

(\  took  his  seat 
le  caves.  Tlio 
entrances,  and 
They  were  so 
for  sleep  inten- 
iept  the  young 
sp. 

d  not  tell,  but 
who  told  them 
[lown  the  river, 
nee,  but  it  was 
0  follow  would 
,thin  the  caves, 
;her  discoveries, 
hat.  "  If  it's  a 
aot  they'll  catch 
e."  But  as  all 
Id  be  better  for 
mtly  consented, 


TIIK   CANK  COVKHKD  (AVKH 


271 


They  were  all  aware  that  thesij  cavi-s  were  well 
known  by  the  Indians,  and  ihey  were  afraid  that  the 
parties  in  the  canoes,  whieh  Captain  Jim  had  seen  in 
the  moonlij,'ht,  mij,'ht  Ik;  making  for  the  vctry  place 
where  they  then  were.  If  they  were  white  men,  how- 
ever, they  probably  woidd  i)e  igtiorant  of  the  existence 
of  the  caves,  and  would  pass  without  any  trouble  ;  and 
even  if  they  were  Indians,  there  were  many  chances 
that  they  wcmld  go  on  (h)wn  the  river  without  slopping 
to  enter  these;  places  of  refuge.  Tliey  all,  iiowever, 
were  uneasy,  and  waited  with  much  anxiety  for 
Captain  Jim  to  report. 

The  young  Indian,  wlio  had  agaii\  resumed  his 
position  on  the  bank,  watched  tlie  ai)i)roaching  canoes 
ami  uttered  a  low  exclamation. as  la^  saw  them  change 
their  course  and  start  directly  for  the  place  where  he 
tlien  was.  Did  they  intend  to  laud,  or  were  they 
only  coming  in  nearer  shore?  The  question  was 
soon  settled  when  he  saw  tiie  six  mew  who  were  in 
the  canoes  approach  tluf  shore,  and  n<i  soon  iis  they 
had  landed  draw  the  little  skiff  up  on  the  bank. 
They  were  some  distance  up  the  stream  yet,  and 
without  being  observed  by  them.  Captain  Jim  at  once 
entered  the  caves  and  reported  to  his  friends  what  he 
had  discovered. 


272 


TECUMSKII'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


CHAPTER   XXVIII 


THE   SOLITARY    GUARD 


THE  brief  consultation  which  followed  the  entrance 
of  the  young  Indian  led  to  a  decision  on  the 
part  of  Josiah  and  the  others  that  they  would  remain 
in  hiding  where  they  were.  They  all  were  to  be 
watcliful  and  ready  for  any  sudden  call  which  Captain 
Jim  might  give  them,  and  as  soon  as  these  arrange- 
ments had  been  completed,  the  young  brave  left  the 
cave,  after  having  looked  carefully  to  the  coverings, 
and  resumed  his  place  as  guard. 

He  was  behind  one  of  the  large  trees  and  could 
observe  the  movements  of  the  party,  which  had  ap- 
proached and  now  were  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of 
the  caves.  He  was  more  anxious  than  he  had  allowed 
the  othei-s  tp  perceive,  and  sis  he  observed  the  move- 
ments of  the  new-comers  his  anxiety  was  much 
increased.  Several  times  he  hesitated  and  almost 
decided  to  summon  his  companions.  Behind  the 
trees  they  would  be  protected,  and  could  defend 
themselves  if  an  attack  was  made ;  but  each  time  he 


I. 


■>l'y;-  y>ir>»-«jgf?iar»* 


-rr5PK— r; 


ss 


THE  SOLITARY  GUARD 


273 


d  the  entrance 
ecision  on  the 
would  remain 
11  were  to  be 
which  Captain 
these  arrange- 
brave  left  the 
the  coverings, 

'ees  and  could 
which  had  ap- 
indred  yards  of 
he  had  allowed 
rved  the  move- 
3ty  was  much 
ed  and  almost 
Behind  the 
L  could  defend 
it  each  time  he 


waited,  so  eager  was  he  in  watching  the  movements 
which  the  othera  made. 

Keen  though  they  were,  they  had  not  yet  seen  him ; 
and  standing  as  lie  was  witliin  the  shadow  of  the 
trees,  he  had  no  difficulty,  in  the  moonlight,  in  seeuig 
all  that  the  othei-s  did.  They  were  in  the  light,  and 
while  they  were  watchful,  as  yet  he  had  seen  no  signs 
which  indicated  their  suspicion  of  the  presence  of  any 
one  in  this  well-known  place  of  concealment. 

It  soon  became  evident  that  they  had  come  for  the 
same  purpose  that  had  led  Captain  Jim's  party  to  the 
place.  He  did  not  think  from  their  actions  that  they 
were  meditating  any  attack,  but  were  simply  seeking 
the  shelter  which  the  caves  provided.  He  could  see 
now  that  the  party  was  divided  just  as  liis  was,  and  that 
there  were  tliree  white  men  and  three  Indians  in  it. 

Suddenly  the  question  occurred  to  him,  "  Suppose 
they  should  come  to  the  same  caves  in  which  Josiah 
and  the  boys  are  ?  "  There  were  six  of  these  caves, 
and  they  must  occupy  two  of  them,  and  if  by  any 
chance  they  should  approach  the  very  ones  in  which 
his  companions  were  concealed  tliere  would  he  trouble 
at  once.  As  this  thought  occurred  to  him,  he  started 
as  though  he  would  go  again  to  summon  liis  friends ; 
but  the  others  were  too  near  now,  and  any  movement 
on  his  part  would  be  seen  at  once,  and  might  pre- 
cipitate a  trouble  which  there  was  still  a  possibility  of 
avoiding. 


274 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


Captain  Jim  stepped  buck  again  into  the  shadow 
of  the  tree,  and,  almost  fascinated  now,  watched  the 
six  men  as  they  slowly  and  cautiously  approached 
the  caves.  Which  would  they  enter?  The  question 
was  soon  settled,  for  as  they  drew  near  they  acted  as 
though  they  were  about  to  remove  the  covering  of  the 
one  in  which  Tom  and  the  two  Indians  were  con- 
cealed. 

Captain  Jim  grasped  his  gun  and  prepared  to  dis- 
pute their  entrance  if  they  should  attempt  to  make 
one  there ;  but  his  fear  was  relieved  when  he  saw  a 
change  in  their  movements  and  they  turned  to  the 
other  caves  whicli  were  farther  down  the  stream. 
They  quickly  removed  the  cane,  and,  entering  the 
two  that  were  on  the  limits,  pulled  the  covering 
back   into    place    and    quickly  were    hidden    from 

sight. 

Captain  Jim  was  now  perplexed  about  his  own 
movements.  Should  he  still  remain  on  guard,  or 
summon  his  friends  and  with  them  try  to  escape  at 
once  from  the  danger  which  was  so  near  them?  He 
waited  to  see  if  the  other  party  would  place  any  one 
on  guard,  but  he  was  relieved  when  he  found  after  a 
few  moments  that  evidently  no  one  was  to  take  that 
position,  and  all  six  remained  within  the  shelter  of 
the  caves.  He  decided  that  he  would  retain  his 
position  and  await  further  developments. 

There  was  no  sign  now  of  the  presence  of  any  one. 


"^i  • 


ES 

to  the  shadow 
V,  watched  the 
3ly  approached 
The  question 
r  they  acted  as 
covering  of  the  . 
lians  were  con- 

irepared  to  dis- 
tempt  to  make 
when  he  saw  a 
'  turned  to  the 
vn  the  stream, 
d,  entering  the 
i  the  covering 
J    hidden    from 

about  his  own 
a.  on  guard,  or 
try  to  escape  at 
lear  them?  He 
d  place  any  one 
he  found  after  a 
ras  to  take  that 
n  the  shelter  of 
ould  retain  his 
lents. 
lence  of  any  one. 


THE  SOLITARY  GUARD 


275 


Silence  rested  over  the  river,  and  not  a  movement 
was  made  along  its  banks.  The  occasional  call  of 
some  bird  in  the  forest  and  the  lapping  of  the  little 
waves  upon  the  shore  were  the  only  sounds  he  could 
hear.  Motionless  as  the  tree  behind  which  he  stood 
concealed,  the  Indian  waited ;  and  when  a  half  hour 
had  gone,  the  silence  was  still  unbroken.  Another 
half  hour  passed,  and  as  nothing  unusual  was  seen, 
he  had  about  decided  to  summon  his  friends  and  with 
them  seek  the  canoes  which  they  had  hidden  down 
the  stream,  and  attempt  to  make  their  escape. 

He  had  taken  a  step  out  from  behind  the  tree 
when  he  was  startled  by  tlie  sight  of  some  one  emerg- 
ing from  one  of  the  caves  occupied  by  the  strangers. 
It  was  an  Indian,  who  carefully  replaced  the  canes 
and  approached  the  shore.  Back  and  forth  he  walked 
along  the  bank,  with  his  head  bowed,  as  though  in 
deep  thought.  Evidently  he  was  unsuspicious  of  the 
presence  of  ,any  one  there  beside  his  companions. 

Suddenly  Captain  Jim  started  as  the  outlines  of 
the  figure  became  more  distinct  in  the  moonlight,  and 
he  recognized  the  well-known  leader  of  the  Creeks, 
the  half-breed  Weatherford.  Captain  Jim  was  greatly 
moved  by  the  sight.  What  a  noble-looking  man  he 
was !  Evi  lently  from  his  appearance  he  was  in  great 
trouble  or  perplexity. 

Once  more  the  stru  -Gfle  which  his  nation  was 
making  for  what  they  considered  to  be  their  own 


i 


■J 


m$ 


TECUMSEFl'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


liberty,  and  the  preservation  of  the  homes  of  their 
ancestors  from  the  ruthless  invasion  of  the  white 
men,  came  back  to  the  young  Indian.  He  thought 
of  the  successful  attack  they  had  made  on  Fort 
Minis,  and  his  heart  stirred  within  him  i\s  he  recalled 
the  bravery  of  Weatherford  on  that  day.  His  mind 
went  back  to  the  visit  of  Tecumseh  and  his  brother, 
and  again  he  could  hear  the  burning  words  of  the 
prophet  as  he  addressed  the  assembled  wan-iors. 
Many  of  the  expressions  he  had  used  came  back  to 
the  young  brave's  mind,  and  again  he  shared  in  the 
enthusiasm  of  that  hour.  Ho  thought  of  the  devotion 
of  the  braves  to  their  leaders,  and  the  determination 
so  many  of  them  had  displayed  to  fight  to  the  last, 
rather  than  give  up  to  the  white  men. 

It  was  a  tryhig  moment  for  Captain  Jim,  and  even 
more  trying  for  his  companions,  although  they  all  were 
unconscious  of  the  presence  of  the  great  Indian  leader, 
and  of  the  struggle  in  the  heart  of  Tecumseh's  young 
brave.  His  mind  wavered,  and  with  the  return  of  his 
former  feelings  he  was  almost  ready  to  step  forth  and 
salute  the  great  chief,  and  return  once  more  to  his  al- 
legiance ;  but  he  was  watching  Weatherford  now,  and 
sometimes  the  half-breed  stood  as  though  in  contem- 
plation and  motionless  as  a  statue,  looking  out  over 
the  river  and  evidently  seeing  more  than  the  moon- 
light disclosed.  Then  up  and  down  the  bank  he 
would  pace,  frequently  stopping  and  resuming  hLs 


•*!^3SP«<»^.42f  •-*»*»■  «• 


rrrr 


s 


^'^^^'1 


THE  SOLITARY   GUARD 


277 


unes  of  their 
of  the  white 
He  thought 
ade  on  Fort 
as  he  recalled 
y.  His  mind 
I  his  brother, 
words  of  the 
)led  wan'iors. 
came  back  to 
shared  in  the 
f  the  devotion 
determination 
it  to  the  last, 

Jim,  and  even 
V  they  all  were 
Indian  leader, 
imseh's  young 
e  return  of  his 
step  forth  and 
nore  to  his  al- 
ford  now,  and 
igh  in  contem- 
king  out  over 
lan  the  moon- 
the  bank  he 
resuming  his 


attitude  of  contemplation.  The  younger  Indian 
thought  there  waa  an  element  of  sadness  now  in 
Weatherford's  bearing,  and  it  seemed  to  him  that 
much  of  his  hopefulness  had  disappeared. 

It  was  a  picture  for  an  artist  —  the  silent  river 
flowing  onward  to  the  sea,  the  mighty  forests  that 
lined  its  banks,  the  moonlight  streaming  over  all  and 
revealing  the  noble  figure  of  one  Indian  standing  by 
the  shore,  and  that  of  the  younger  one  concealed 
behind  the  great  tree. 

As  we  have  said.  Captain  Jim's  mind  was  waver- 
ing. His  heart  had  been  so  stirred  by  the  sight  of  his 
former  leader,  and  moved  by  his  evident  trouble  and 
sadness,  that  he  was  on  the  point  of  going  out  to  meet 
him  and  of  returning  to  the  place  he  had  occupied 
among  his  followers;  but  suddenly  Weatherford 
turned  and  looked  sharply  down  the  river.  Perhaps 
he  was  suspicious  now  of  the  presence  of  the  other 
Creek,  but  in  a  moment  he  turned  again,  and  going  to 
the  cave  from  which  he  hafl  come,  removed  the  cover- 
ing, and  entering  once  more  was  soon  lost  to  the 
sight  of  Captain  Jim,  whose  pei-plexity  and  uncer- 
tainty were  now  much  increased. 

Still  Captain  Jim  waited.  He  did  not  know  but 
the  chief  might  return,  and  he  watched  the  cave  far 
more  than  he  did  the  river  or  the  shores.  The  strag- 
gle meanwhile  went  on  in  the  young  Indian's  heart. 
He  had  no  thought  of  betriaying  his  friends,  and  yet 


>^.r-;i;.,i  u   j)ii    fttiriffijy  «r,i  ib  i.ii^.5U.ii 


278 


TECUMSRII'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


he  waa  yearning  now  for  his  own  kindred.  The  recol- 
lection of  the  hravery  of  those  he  had  left,  and  the 
presence  of  Weatherford,  had  revived  his  slumbering 
l)atriotisni,  and  his  heart  went  out  in  longing  for  those 
who  were  of  his  own  blood. 

When  an  hour  had  gone  and  Weatherford  had  not 
appeared  again,  the  love  for  Tom  and  Jerry  proved  to 
be  stronger  than  his  yearning  for  his  kindred ;  and  now 
that  silence  had  again  returned,  he  knew  the  time 
had  arrived  for  him  to  summon  his  friends,  and  with 
them  attempt  to  make  their  way  from  tliis  place  so 
filled  with  danger. 

Like  a  moving  shadow  now,  the  young  Indian  ad- 
vanced from  his  hiding-place,  an<J,  crouching  low  and 
stepping  softly,  approached  the  caves.  Before  he 
gave  the  signal  which  had  been  agreed  upon,  he  stood 
for  a  moment  and  looked  out  upon  the  scene  before 

him. 

The  silence  was  unbroken,  and  not  a  human  being 
was  in  sight.  Reassured  somewhat  by  the  stillness, 
he  approached  the  cave  in  which  Josiah  lay  concealed, 
and  several  times  gave  the  signal  before  it  was  re- 
sponded to  by  those  who  were  within.  The  young 
brave  added  his  warning  in  a  low  whisper,  and  almost 
as  silently  as  he  himself  had  approached,  the  others 
withdrew  from  the  caves. 

One  by  one  they  left  the  shelter  and  took  pains  to 
return  the  cane  covering  carefully  to  its  place.    They 


rES 

ed.  The  recol- 
d  left,  and  the 
his  slumbering 
(iiging  for  those 

lerford  had  not 
Jerry  proved  to 
idred ;  and  now 
knew  the  time 
lends,  and  with 
m  tliis  place  so 

ang  Indian  ad- 
uching  low  and 
es.  Before  he 
I  upon,  he  stood 
lie  scene  before 

a  human  being 
)y  the  stillness, 
,h  lay  concealed, 
ifore  it  was  re- 
in. The  young 
sper,  and  almost 
shed,  the  others 

id  took  pains  to 
its  place.    They 


iii|i««]ii.iiiJiiii|i'l".  h" 


THE  SOLITARY  GUARD 


279 


Stood  for  a  moment  after  all  were  on  the  ground  and 
waited  to  see  whether  there  were  any  signs  of  their 
presence  l)eing  known.  They  were  safe  thus  far,  and 
then  slowly  they  began  to  move  towards  the  river. 
They  gained  the  bank  without  being  discovered,  and 
stepping  into  the  water  began  to  wade  down  the 
stream,  moving  slowly  and  carefully. 

It  was  a  strange  procession,  and  if  those  who  were 
sl-eeping  in  the  caves  could  have  seen  it,  they  would 
have  been  aa  moved  by  the  sight  as  Captain  Jim  was 
by  that  which  he  had  recently  seen.  Their  canoes 
were  several  hundred  yards  do\vn  the  stream,  and  as 
they  came  nearer  to  their  hiding-place,  they  all  in- 
creased  their  speed,  and  at  last  drew  them  forth  and 
launched  them  on  the  river. 

Before  they  took  their  places  under  the  shadows  of 
the  bank,  they  stopped  and  looked  back  to  the  caves 
they  had  left.    Their  own  shadows  were  concealed 
by  those  which  the  trees  cast  upon  the  water,  and  no 
one  looking  in  their  direction  would  have  been  able 
to  have   distinguished   them.      A  low  whisper  from 
Captain   Jim   aroused   their  attention,   and  looking 
in  the  direction   in  which  he  silently  pointed,  they 
saw  on  the    bank,  which  they  had    recently  left, 
the  figure  of   some   man  standing   motionless  and 

alone. 

"Who  is  it,  Captain  Jim?"  asked  Tom.    "What 

does  it  mean?" 


it'jfe  MKlUlS'.i^PiSS'jWS'^ 


y&^S^^3Slf^' 


r 


Hinmiij.WM'' 


i)|JiHlul-HIIUMIli»_l- 


88a 


TECUMSEFrs  YOUNG  BRAVES 


Rod 


"  Weatherford,"  rei)liod  the  young  Indian. 
Eagle,  Ilonoiiika  Futsahia." 

The  eagerness  of  all  to  escape  wjw  greatly  increased 
by  the  knowledge  that  the  dreaded  leader  of  the 
Creek  nation  was  so  near  them.  Josiah  several  times 
brought  his  gun  to  his  shoulder  and  appeared  to  bo 
determined  to  improve  his  opportunity  to  put  an  end 
to  the  existence  of  one  who  had  wrought  so  much 
damage  and  suffering  among  the  whites  of  Alabama ; 
but  Captain  Jim  touched  his  arm  each  time,  and  shak- 
ing his  head  made  the  hunter  realize  the  foolishness 
of  making  an  attack  when  they  were  as  safe  as  they 
were. 

"  Better  let  sleeping  dogs  alone,"  said  Josiah  in  a 
low  voice.  "The  redskin's  right,  though  I  never 
shall  have  another  such  chance  in  all  my  life.  I 
don't  think  I'd  better  drop  the  traitor  now,  but  if 
I  was  all  alone  here  I  shouldn't  hesitate  a  minute. 
But  there  are  six  of  us,  and  we've  got  too  important 
business  on  hand  to  let  anything  interfere  with  it, 
even  such  an  important  matter  as  putting  an  end  to 
that  half-breed." 

"  You're  right,  Josiah,"  said  Tom ;  "  and  the  only 
thing  we  can  do  is  to  get  out  of  this  just  as  soon  aa 
we  can ;  and  if  we  can  once  succeed  in  putting  a  good 
distance  between  us  and  that  company  of  Weather- 
ford's,  I  shall  feel  that  we  have  done  the  very  wisest 
thing." 


idian.     "  Rod 

atly  increased 
leader  of   tlie 

several  tiiiiea 
ipeared  to  be 
to  put  an  end 
ight  so  much 

of  Alabama; 
ime,  and  shak- 
he  foolishness 
J  safe  as  they 

id  Josiah  in  a 
)ugh  I  never 
1  my  life.  I 
r  now,  but  if 
ate  a  minute, 
too  important 
;rfere  with  it, 
ing  an  end  to 

'  and  the  only 
just  as  soon  as 
putting  a  good 
y  of  Weather- 
he  very  wisest 


THE  SOLITARY  (JUARD 


281 


"  We  don't  want  to  stay  here  very  long,  then,"  said 
Jerry.  "  I  don't  know  what  we're  standing  here  like  a 
lot  of  stumps  for,  any  way.  Captiiin  Jim  seems  to  1"i 
fascinated  by  the  sight  of  that  chief,  and  we  all  ai>- 
pear  to  be  pretty  much  like  blocks ,  bu;,  the  best  thing 
we  can  do  is  to  pull  out  of  this  right  away." 

"  That's  the  thing  to  do,  "  said  Josiah,  "  especially 
since  the  redskin  has  disappeared  now,  and  for  all 
that  we  know  he  may  be  coming  around  tlu-ough  the 
woods  to  outflank  us." 

Yes,  Weatherford  had  disappeared,  and  all  six  gave 
their  attention  to  the  canoes.  They  took  their  places 
silently,  and,  without  using  their  paddles,  at  fust 
allowed  the  light  canoes  to  float  with  the  current. 
They  kept  near  the  shore  and  under  the  shadow  of 
the  bank,  and  soon  a  good  distance  had  been  placed 
l)etween  them  and  the  caves  they  had  recently  left. 


— i-^nsSWte-: 


tat 


TECUMSEirS   YOUNG    lUtAVES 


CHAPTER  XXIX 


1! 


WHERE    WEHK  THE   BIIAVE8? 

OUR  escaping  party,  for  as  such  they  considered 
themselves,  were  silent  for  a  time,  but  soon  they 
thought  they  were  far  enough  from  the  place  they 
had  left  to  resume  their  paddling,  and  swiftly  the 
little  l)oatH  moved  with  the  current.  Not  more  than 
a  half  hour  had  passed  before,  at  a  word  from  Josiah, 
the  two  canoes  were  brought  closely  together,  and  the 
hunter  began  to  talk  with  his  companions  concerning 
the  position  in  which  they  found  themselves. 

"  You  see  it's  this  way,"  said  Josiah.  "  That  other 
party  was  coming  down  the  stream,  and  it's  evident 
they  were  going  in  the  same  direction  we  are." 

"  But  they  don't  know  we're  anywhere  near  them," 
said  Tom. 

"That's  all  true  enough,"  said  the  hunter;  "but 
we  are  near,  and  we  may  be  in  a  good  deal  of  danger 
from  them  too.  There's  one  of  two  things  we  can 
do.  We  either  can  make  the  best  time  we  can  and 
try  to  keep  ahead  of  them,  or  we  can  stop  some- 
where and  wait  for  them  to  pass." 


..-^^mH-lHtmirt'immatm 


■mi»mi'.m"f  • 


ey  considered 
but  soon  they 
le  place  they 
d  Hwiftly  the 
J^^ot  more  than 
i  from  Josiah, 
;ether,  and  the 
)n8  concerning 
elves. 

"  That  other 
id  it's  evident 
n  we  are." 
re  near  them," 

hunter;  "but 
leal  of  danger 

things  we  can 
ne  we  can  and 
in  stop  some- 


/' 


WUEBK   WKUE  TIIK   UUAVKSi' 


283 


»  Oh,  the  other  is  tlio  letter  phm.  Wf  don't  want 
to  stop  any  more.  Let's  keep  going  until  we're  so 
far  ahead  of  them  there'll  be  no  danger  of  their  over- 
taking us,"  said  Jerry.  ,     ,      , 

"  That's  just  what  I  should  say,"  said  the  hunter, 
"  if  we  were  not  pretty  well  tired  out.  You  see  Tom 
had  all  he  wanted  to  do  yesterday  before  we  started, 
and  we've  l)een  keeping  pretty  steadily  at  our  work 
all  the  time.  If  we  could  have  had  a  good  rest  to- 
night in  those  holes  in  the  ground  we  f<mnd,  we 
might  have  l)een  all  right;  but  as  it  is,  I'm  strongly 
„f  the  opinion  that  our  l)est  plan  will  be  to  stop 
somewhere  on  the  shore  and  keep  a  good  lookout  till 
those  other  men  piws  us." 

Tecuraseh's  young  braves  coincided  with  the 
hunter's  proposal,  and  both  the  boys  felt  that  his  sug- 
gestion  wiW  a  wise  one,  and  it  was  soon  decided  that 
they  would  seek  some  place  of  shelter  and  wait  for 
the  others  to  pa^s.  They  accordingly  resumed  their 
paddUng,  and  now  moving  slowly  near  the  shore, 
were  on  the  lookout  for  a  good  place  where  they 
could  land,  and  where  they  would  be  concealed  while 
they  themselves  were  keeping  a  good  outlook. 

"That's  the  place  ahead,"  said  Josiah  soon  after. 
"That  bluff  there  with  the  bushes  and  scrub  growing 
on  it  is  the  very  spot  we're  searching  for." 

Acting  upon  the  hunter's  suggestion  the  canoes 
were  turned  towards  the  shore,  and  leaving  them 


■■  iinKW»aBa.c  ■ 


ivn>f  II  „^15!m'.'"*»'.'U^I'      / 


•2Hi 


TKCL'MSKIIS    YOUNd    HH.VVKH 


concciilcd    upon    tho    bank,   tho   htyn   (aiinlwd    tlio 

'oluff. 

"  This  is  II  j^ood  i)lacP,"  said  Tom,  "  we  can  see  far 
up  tho  rivor  and  just  as  far  down." 

"  Yes,  and  wo  can't  1mi  soon  oursolvos,"  said  .lorry; 
"so  I  vote  for  inakinj,'  this  our  camp." 

Thoy  roturnod  to  tiio  canoos  and  liid  them  moro 
so(Hiroly  among  tho  hushes  that  Unod  tho  hank,  and 
thon  roturning  to  tho  hluff  made  thoir  i)hins  for  pass- 
ing tho  romaiiKhjr  of  tho  night.  It  wius  agrood  that 
only  Olio  should  romain  on  guard,  and  that  ho  should 
summon  tho  othei-s  if  any  signs  of  an  approafdiing 
pjyty  should  Iw)  soon.  Ono  of  tho  Indian  hravos 
volunteerod  to  sorvo  in  this  capacity,  and  soon  tho 
othoiw  wcu'o  fast  asleep. 

Scarcely  an  hour  had  passed  before  they  were 
awakened  by  thoir  guard,  who  called  their  attention 
to  two  tiny  specks  on  the  river  which  could  bo  seen 
in  the  moonlight  far  away.  Captain  Jim,  long  before 
any  of  the  othoi-s  were  able  to  make  out  the  occupants 
of  the  approacliing  canoes,  declared  that  they  were 
the  very  ones  who  had  landed  at  the  caves. 

Nearer  and  nearer  came  the  little  boats,  and  at  la«t, 
when  they  were  opposite  the  bluff  on  which  our  party 
were  concealed,  they  all  could  see  that  there  were  six 
men  in  tho  canoes,  and  Captain  Jim  declared  that  he 
was  able  to  discern  Weatherford  himself  in  the  one 
which  was  nearer. 


cUiiiImuI    tlio 

we  CUM  Hee  fur 

9,"  said  Jerry ; 

id  thorn  moro 
tliK  bank,  and 
plans  for  i)ass- 
n\s  agreed  that 
that  he  shouUl 
n  approaehing 
Indian  braves 
,  and  soon  the 

ore  they  were 
their  attention 
could  be  seen 
im,  long  before 
t  the  occupants 
that  they  were 
fives. 

ats,  and  at  la^^t, 
vhich  our  party 
;  there  were  six 
leclared  that  he 
iself  in  the  one 


WIIKHK    WKRK  THE    HH.VVE8? 


28ft 


Josiah  again  .leclared  that  hr  would  not  let  this 
opportunity  [.ass,  and  that  he  would  tiy  ^lie  effect  of 
a  shot  on  the  chief,     'i'he  lM)ys,  too,  were  eager  Jiow, 
as  they  felt  that  they  were  in  a  place  of  safety  and 
could  eiwily  defend  themselves  if  au  attack  against 
them  should  Ik;  made.     The  yoang  braves  wens  silent, 
for  they  well  knew  that  their  ()i)position  would  l)e 
misun(lei>*tood,  and  iw  the  shot  of  Josiah  rang  out 
they  looked  keenly  to  see  what  the  effect  of  it  \vm. 
"  I've  missed  him,"  said  the  hunter,  chagrined;  "  at 
least,  I  can't  see  that  I've  done  any  damage.    That's 
a  great  note  for  me,  isn't  it?  " 

Hut  the  shot  produced  one  effect,  in  that  it  quick- 
ened  the  movements  of  the  men  in  the  canoes,  and 
soon  they  had  disappeared  down  the  stream. 

"  I'm  inclined  to  thhik  that  shot  of  yours  was  a 
mistake,  after  all,"  said  Tom.  "  We  don't  know  that 
these  two  canoes  may  not  be  followed  by  others,  and 
if  they  are,  your  gun  may  have  done  more  damage  to 
us  than  it  could  to  VVeatherford  or  any  of  his  party." 
"  Well,  we  can't  do  anything  now,"  said  the  hunter, 
"except  turn  in  for  a  time  and  get  what  rest  we 
can,  for  before  it's  light  we  must  start  on  our  way 
again.  That  will  give  the  others  a  good  start,  and  I 
don't  think  they'll  be  apt  to  come  back  here  to  see 
how  it  was  that  we  saluted  them  as  they  passed  this 

bluff."  .      „ 

"  If  they  keep  up  the  rate  at  which  they're  going, 


r 


286 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


said  Jerry,  "  they'll  soon  be  so  far  away  that  it  will 
take  them  a  full  day  to  eonie  back  here  against  the 
current.  I  don't  believe  I  ever  saw  a  canoe  slip  over 
the  water  ius  those  did  after  you  fired  at  them,  and 
I    think  I  know  something  about  paddling   a  canoe 

myself." 

"  We'd  better  wait  here  a  while,"  said  Tom,  "  and 
see  whether  there  are  any  others  in  the  party.  Then 
if  we  don't  see  any  one  else,  I  think  it  will  be  safe 
for  us  to  start." 

"  Then  we'd  better  get  what  sleep  we  can,"  said 
Josiah ;  and  they  all  stretched  themselves  upon  the 
ground  except  the  young  brave,  who  resumed  his 
position  as  guard. 

Josiah  had  declared  that  they  were  not  far  from 
Hatchet  creek,  and  that  he  knew  the  region  in  which 
they  were,  as  well  as  he  did  the  place  in  which  he  had 
l)een  born.  In  fact,  he  was  certain  that  he  could  find 
his  way  over  every  foot  of  the  ground  in  the  darkness, 
but  he  had  yielded  to  the  suggestion  of  Tom  that 
they  should  use  their  canoes  as  had  been  agreed,  and 
go  as  far  down  the  Coosa  as  Hatchet  creek. 

They  were  all  so  thorouglily  tired  now,  and  worn 
by  their  exertions  of  the  day  and  night,  that  in  a 
moment  they  were  fast  asleep.  It  would  have  taken 
a  very  keen  observer  to  have  noticed  anything  un- 
usual on  the  bluff  if  he  had  been  pi\ssing  that  night, 
for  no  fire  had  been  kindled,  and  no  one  could  be  seen 


..jA.^miem-'-^ 


VE8 

way  that  it  will 
ere  against  the 
,  canoe  slip  over 
(d  at  them,  and 
iddling  a  canoe 

said  Tom,  "  and 
lie  party.  Then 
:  it  will  be  safe 

p  we  can,"  said 
selves  upon  the 
ho   resumed  his 

ire  not  far  from 
I  region  in  which 

in  which  he  had 
hat  he  could  find 
I  in  the  darkness, 
ion  of  Tom  that 
been  agreed,  and 
t  creek. 
1  now,  and  worn 

night,  that  in  a 
k^ould  have  taken 
3ed  anything  un- 
iwjsing  that  night, 
one  could  be  seen 


WIIKIll':   WKllK   THE   UKAVES: 


287 


except  the  young  Indian,  who  was  seated  upon  the 
grouiid  motionless  and  still.  He  sat  within  the 
shadow  of  the  trees,  which  effectually  concealed  him 
from  the  view  of  any  one  who  might  be  passing  on 
the  river,  and  yet  enabled  him  to  see  far  over  the 

waters. 

The  owb  hooted  occasionally,  and  the  sound  of 
the  ripples  of  the  river  could  be  heard,  but  neither 
of  these  kept  any  of  the  party  awake.  For  some 
time  they  had  slept  uninterruptedly,  when  Tom  sud- 
denly was  awakened.  Just  how  long  he  had  been 
suileep  he  could  not  tell,  nor  wtvs  he  aware  of  what  had 
aroused  him.  He  wiis  sitting  upright  now,  and  at 
fii-st  could  scarcely  realize  where  he  was.  He  glanced 
at  the  sleeping  forms  beside  him,  and  the  experiences 
of  the  past  day  at  once  came  back  to  his  mind. 

Somehow  there  was  a  feeling  of  fear  in  his  heart, 
and  he  was  conscious  of  some  impending  ill ;  but  the 
young  pioneer  was  not  prone  to  illusions,  and  he  tried 
to  shake  off  his  nervousness.     He  resumed  his  posi- 
tion upon  the  ground,  but  found  that  he  was  unable 
to  close  his  eyes.     He  remained  there  for  some  time, 
but  his  feeling  of  uneasiness  increased  every  moment. 
"This  is  strange,"  said  he  to  himself.     "I  don't 
know  what's  come  over  me.     I  think  I'll  just  step  out 
and  relieve  the  young  brave.    If  I  can't  sleep  I  might 
just  as  well  serve  as  guard,  and  let  the  rest  of  them 
take  their  turn." 


1 1I1.OI1  WiMW  ll»  ■ 


288 


TECUMSEII'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


But  for  several  moments  he  did  not  move,  trying 
agiiin  to  fall  asleep.  Satisfied  at  liust  that  it  would  be 
impossible  for  him  to  sleep  more,  and  as  his  feeling 
of  nervousness  wjus  increiwing,  he  arose  ar.  I  started 
towards  the  place  where  he  had  left  the  young  brave 

on  guard. 

As  he  moved  out  from  the  camp  he  was  unable  to 
discern  the  familiar  figure,  and  he  said  to  himself, 
"  He's  changed  his  position.  1  left  him  right  here 
by  the  tree.  I  presume  he'll  be  back  in  a  moment, 
so  I'll  just  wait  for  him." 

But  when  several  minutes  had  passed  and  the  guard 
did  not  return,  he  started  up  the  bank  to  see  if  he 
was  there.  Not  finding  liim  on  that  side  of  the  camp, 
he  turned  and  went  to  the  other  side,  but  not  a  sign 
of  the  young  Indian  appeared. 

,  "  That's  strange,"  said  Tom,  feeling  somewhat  an- 
noyed; "perhaps  he's  gone  into  the  woods  or  down  by 
the  river.  I  think  I'll  follow  him  up  and  see  what's 
happened  to  him.  He  may  be  in  trouble,  or  have 
fallen  somewhere."  But  his  search  was  unrewarded, 
and  no,  trace  of  the  Indian  guard  could  be  seen. 

"  I  wonder  whether  anything  could  have  happened," 
said  Tom,  now  beginning  to  feel  alarmed,  and  strange 
forelwdings  coming  into  his  heart;  but  he  put  away 
such  thoughts,  for  he  had  not  lost  his  confidence  in 
the  young  Indian  in  spite  of  Josiah's  suspicions  ;  and, 
indeed,  the  hunter  had  not  mentioned  his  feara  of  late, 


ES 

t  move,  trying 
lilt  it  would  be 
as  his  feeling 
se  ar.  I  started 
e  young  brave 

wiis  unable  to 
iid  to  himself, 
lim  right  here 
:  in  a  moment, 

1  and  the  guard 
ik  to  see  if  he 
ide  of  the  camp, 
but  not  a  sign 

»  somewhat  aii- 
jods  or  down  by 
>  and  see  what's 
rouble,  or  have 
vas  unrewarded, 
Id  be  seen, 
have  happened," 
ned,  and  strange 
ut  he  put  away 
lis  confidence  in 
suspicions ;  and, 
I  his  feai-s  of  late, 


WIIEKE  WERE  THE  BRAVES? 


289 


and  apparently  had  come  to  Mieve  in  the  mtegnty  of 
the  young  bmves  a.s  much  ii8  the  boys  did. 

He  now  began  a  thorough  search.  For  a  half  hour 
he  moved  about  amongst  the  trees  and  along  the  shore, 
but  his  search  wiis  still  unrewarded. 

u  Perhaps  he's  come  back  to  the  camp  by  this  time, 
said  Tom,  "  and  I'll  go  back  there  myself  and  see. 

But  when  he  returned  it  was  to  find  that  the  guard 
wa3  not  there,  and  his  forebodings  now  were  fast  pa^s- 
l.  into  fears.  Suddenly  the  thought  of  the  other 
Indians  occurred  to  him,  and  he  did  not  know  but 
they  might  be  able  to  explain  the  absence  of  the 
guard ;  and  he  stepped  among  the  sleeping  forms  to 
fpeak  to  them.  He  w.vs  thorougWy  alarmed  when  he 
could  find  no  trace  of  either  of  them. 

"  They're  gone,  too,"  said  Tom,  -and  something  is 
•     wrong.    I'll  have  to  arouse  Josiah  and  Jerry,  and  per- 
haps they  can  shed  a  little  light  on  tliis  mystery. 

it  wa/ some  time  before  his  brother  and  the  hunter 
were  awakened,  but  when  they  had  listened  to  what 
Tom  had  to  tell  them,  they  were  at  once  thoroughly 
awake,  and  alanned  as  well. 

.That's  no  more  than  I  expected,"  said  M. 
"I  told  you  you  never  could  trust  a  redskin,  and  its 
,ny  belief  that  these  young  braves  who  have  l^en  with 
Thave  x^ally  been  acting  in  concert  with  Weather- 
lord  and  his  party.  K  they  l^ve,  it  means  trouble  for 
us,  and  that  right  away." 


.1  Mi<T||tyfil|r^  i  ^HJ  I  mtMX'Jt!* 


•I 


TECUMs^:I^s  young  braves 

"  I  can't  believe  they  would  betray  us  into  the  hands 
of  Weatherford,"  said  Jerry.  "  It  may  be  that  they've 
joined  him,  but  not  to  betray  as  —  of  that  I'm  certain." 
"  I'm  not  certain,"  said  Joaiah.  "  The  only  thuig 
you  can  be  sure  of  about  a  redskin  is  that  you  can't  be 
sure  of  him  at  all.  That's  the  oidy  way  to  deal  with 
them.  You've  got  to  consider  them  guilty  until  they 
prove  themselves  innocent,  and  we've  been  a  parcel 
of  fools,  and  I've  l)een  the  worst  one  of  all,  ever  to  put 
ouiselves  in  such  a  position  that  they  could  get  the 
best  of  us." 

"  You've  taken  altogether  too  much  for  granted," 
said  Tom.  "It  may  be  that  they  have  seen  some- 
thing that  has  alarmed  them,  and  they,  have  gone  to 
examine  it  without  arousing  the  rest  of  us.  There's 
no  use  in  charging  them  with  something  we  don't 
know  they're  guilty  of,  and  for  ray  part  I  think  the 
best  tlung  we  can  do  is  to  sit  around  here  and  wait. 
I  shouldn't  be  surprised  if  all  three  of  them  were 
back  here  inside  of  half  an  hour." 

"Well,  that  may  be,"  said  Josiah.  "We'll  wait 
and  see." 

But  another  half  hour  passed  and  still  the  young 
braves  did  not  return  to  the  camp. 

"I'll  tell  you  how  we  can  settle  it,"  said  Josiah 
suddenly.  "I've  just  thought  of  something  that'll 
show  whether  they're  traitors  or  not." 

"  What's  that  ?  "  asked  Jerry. 


18 

nto  the  hands 
le  that  they've 
;  Tin  certain." 
le  only  thuig 
it  you  can't  be 
y  to  deal  with 
ilty  until  they 
been  a  parcel 
11,  ever  to  put 
could  get  the 

for  granted," 
iTe  seen  some- 
,r  have  gone  to 
[  us.  There's 
ing  we  don't 
art  I  think  the 
here  and  wait, 
of  them  were 

"We'll  wait 

3till  the  young 

t,"  said  Josiah 
(lething  that'll 


WHERE   WERE  THE  BRAVES? 


291 


"Why,  the  canoes,"  replied  the  hunter.  "If  they're 
all  right,  we'll  know  there's  been  no  treacheiy  planned ; 
but  if  they're  gone,  we're  gone  too,  unless  we  move 
out  from  this  camp  nght  away." 

"We'll  go  and  see,"  said  Tom.  And  all  three 
started  at  once  for  the  place  where  they  had  left  their 

canoes.  . ,    x    •  i 

"There!  It's  just  as  I  told  you,"  said  Josiah. 
"They've  cleared  out  and  gone  by  the  river,  for 
they've  taken  their  canoe  along  with  them." 

"But  they've  not  taken  ours,"  said  Jerry,  "and 
that  shows  they're  not  planning  anything  against  us." 

"I'm  not  so  sure  of  that,"  said  the  hunter.  "It 
may  be  they've  put  a  hole  in  the  bottom." 

"  We'll  try  it  and  see,"  said  Tom,  and  placing  the 
canoe  in  the  river  they  soon  found  that  it  did  not 
leak,  and  the  treacheiy  of  which  Josiah  had  spoken 
evidently  had  not  reached  as  far  as  the  canoe;  but 
the  other  was  gone,  and  along  with  it  Tecumseh's 

young  braves.  , ,     „       a 

What  it  meant  not  one  of  the  party  could  tell,  and 

with  hearts  filled  with  forebodings  they  all  returned 

to  the  camp  to  talk  over  their  situation  and  decide 

upon  the  best  course  of  action. 


1 


t!i 


"■-1:      kiff^"-"'- 


li^afcf^ji  ■'V\'j'?'i*^"'-  >'  ^^'*  '*"*s 


••   J^ 


292 


TECUMSEH'8  YOUNG  BRAVES 


\ 


CHAPTER  XXX 


JEKRY  8  VENTURE 


(TIHE  discovery  of  the  loss  of  the  canoe  increased 
-'-  the  anger  of  Josiah,  which  already  was  very 
keen  at  the  disappearance  of  the  young  braves.  He 
gave  vent  to  his  feelings  in  many  rough  expressions 
and  sharp  words.  He  declared  again  that  he  knew 
they  were  traitors,  and  had  l^een  traitora  from  the 
beginning.  He  was  certain  they  never  had  had  any 
serious  intention  of  leaving  the  Creeks,  and,  indeed, 
he  suspected  they  had  been  in  their  employ  all  the 
time  and  were  in  reality  spies.  He  was  positive  that 
they  knew  of  the  visit  of  Weatherford,  and  had  been 
acting  in  conjunction  with  him ;  and  why  they  them- 
selves had  not  been  betrayed  into  the  hands  of  the 
other  party  he  could  not  tell,  but  he  was  certain  that 
it  was  through  no  lack  of  willingness  on  the  part  qf 
the  young  Indians. 

To  all  of  Josiah's  charges  the  boys  made  no  reply. 
They  were  silent  and  thoughtful  now,  and  indeed 
there  was  little  for  them  to  say.  The  appearances 
certainly  were  against  their  friends,  and  while  they 


£8 


JERRY'S  VENTURE 


298 


anoe  increaaed 
iady  was  very 
g  braves.  lie 
gh  expressions 
that  he  knew 
itora  from  the 
r  had  had  any 
:s,  and,  indeed, 
employ  all  the 
a  positive  that 
,  and  had  been 
vhy  they  them- 
)  hands  of  the 
as  certain  that 
on  the  part  of 

nade  no  reply, 
w,  and  indeed 
le  appearances 
ind  while  they 


had  not  entirely  lost  confidence  in  them,  yet  they 
knew  that  nothing  they  could  say  would  place  their 
case  in  any  better  light.  Certainly  their  departure 
was  strange,  and  the  more  the  boys  thought  about  it 
the  less  could  they  fii}d  any  cause  for  it. 

Josiah  called  their  attention  again  to  the  events 
of  the  past  day,  and  pointed  out  the  behavior  of 
Captain  Jim  at  the  cave,  his  opposition  to  their  shoot- 
ing at  the  passing  party,  and  the  silence  wliich  he  had 
maintained  ever  since  they  had  left  Jackson's  camp. 
All  these  were  not  forgotten  by  the  boys,  and  yet 
they  were  not  quite  so  ready  as  their  friend  to 
condemn  the  young  braves,  and  had  a  famt  hope 
that  in  some  way  their  disappearance  would  yet  be 

explained.  ,    ,  t    •  t, 

"But  what's  to  be  done  now,  boys?"  asked  Josiah. 

"  We  shall  have  to  act,  and  right  away  too." 

"  What  do  you  think  is  the  best  thing  to  be  done  ?  " 

asked  Tom. 

"I  feel  about  it  in  this  way,"  said  the  hunter. 
"Those  redskins  will  adopt  one  of  two  courses. 
They  either  will  come  back  here  with  reinforcements, 
or  else  they'll  plan  to  catch  us  as  we  go  down  the 
stream.  You  see,  they  must  know  now  that  we're 
here,  and  they  know,  too,  what  spot  we're  bound  for, 
so  they'll  do  one  of  these  two  things,  I'm  certain." 

« Do  you  suppose  they're  with  Weatherford  now?" 
asked  JeiTy. 


294 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  nilAVES 


"  Yes,  1  think  they're  with  Weiitherford,"  replied 
Josiiih  scornfully,  "and  I  think  they've  Men  with 
him  all  the  time  in  heart ;  but  I'll  tell  you  what  we 
must  do.  We'll  have  to  change  our  camp,  or  else 
start  again  on  our  trip,  and  I'm  inclined  to  think  the 
fii'st  plan  is  the  better." 

"  Where  sliall  we  go?  "  disked  Tom.  i 

"  My  advice  is  to  go  straight  across  the  river  to  the 
other  side,  and  keep  quiet  there  for  a  time  and  watch 
the  couree  of  events.  Something's  likely  to  happen 
within  the  next  twenty-four  hours,  and  by  that  time 
we'll  know  what  to  do ;  besides,  you  two  boys  liaven't 
rested  enough  yet  to  stand  a  hard  tussle,  and  periiai)8 
the  break  we'll  have  won't  do  you  any  harm." 

"  We  had  better  go  right  away,  then,"  said  Jerry, 
"  if  we're  going  to  go." 

"  That's  my  opinion  too,"  said  Josiah. 
And  they  started  at  once  for  the  place  where  they 
had  left  their  canoe.     The  long  night  was  almost 
ended  now,  and  the  first  faint  streaks  of  the  dawn 
were  plainly  visible.     They  took  their  places  in  the 
canoe,  and  paddled  rapidly  across  the  river ;  but  the 
other  shore  was  somewhat  different  from  the  one  they 
had  left,  and  at  first  they  could  not  find  a  place 
suitable  for  a  landing.    They  went  up  the  stream 
for  a  short  distance,  but  as  still   they  found   no 
place,  they  reversed  their  course,  and  a  little  farther 
down  the  stream  they  landed  at  a  spot  which  Josiah 


j-.i»i  lirffttHiiiMimnifi  •* 


■I,  III  ■  mum" 


ES  * 

•ford,"  replied 
've  been  with 
[  you  what  we 
camp,  or  else 
1  to  think  the 


;he  river  to  the 
ime  and  watch 
tely  to  happen 
d  by  that  time 
m  boys  liaven't 
le,  and  perhai^ 
harm." 
m,"  said  Jerry, 

,h. 

ace  where  they 
jht  was  almost 
cs  of  the  dawn 
Ir  places  in  the 
I  river  ;  but  the 
om  the  one  they 
ot  find  a  place 
up  the  stream 
they  found  no 
[  a  little  farther 
)ot  which  Josiah 


JERKY'S  VENTURE 


295 


declared  to  be  just  such  a  one  as  tliey  were  looking 

The  canoe  was  carried  up  the  hank  and  hidden  l,e- 
hind  the  great  trees  which  grew  close  to  the  shore. 
As  soon  an  this  had  been  done,  they  returned  and 
e„deavore.l  to  remove  all  tmces  of  their  landu,g. 
They  did  not  dare  to  start  a  lire,  and  made  a  break- 
fivstaa  l)est  they  could  from  the  provisions  they  had 
brought  with  them.  ^ 

The  waiting  soon  became  tedious.    Two  of  them 
were  on  guard  all  the  time,  while  the  third  wius  al- 
lowed to  rest.     Josiah  declared  that  he  had  not  the 
slightest  thought  of  giving  up  their  expedition,  and, 
indeed,  he  said  he  wa^  more  determined  to  go  on  to 
lloi^e  Shoe  Bend  now  than  ever.     But  their  danger 
was  greatly  increased.    The  whole  region  w^us  filled 
with  bands  of  prowling  Indians,  and  they  could  not 
tell  when  they  might  have  to  fight  for  their  lives. 
The  apparent  treacheiy  of  Tecumseh's  young  bi-aves 
increased  their  perplexity,  and  perhai)s  added  to  their 

'^''"Tthey  come  back,"  said  Josiah,  "they  might 
come  by  land,  though  I  hardly  think  they'll  take 
us  to.be  fools  enough  to  stay  there  where  we  were, 
and  be  ffaught  in  their  trap." 

-But  they  don't  know  we're  on  this  side  of  the 
river,"  said  Tom  ;  "and  if  they  come  by  land  they  11 
have  no  means  of  coming  near  us." 


2\)C)  TECUMSKII'S  YOlJNO   BHAVKS 

"Thut'H  80,"  8ai(l  .loHiah,  "anil  so  prokibly  they 
won't  ret.irn  in  that  way.  They'll  think  we  won't 
abandon  our  canoe,  an.l  they'll  l.e  on  the  watch  for  u« 
as  we  KO  .lown  the  river;  hut  I'm  certain  they  won  t 
give  us  crclit  for  giving  up,  an.l  they  know  us  well 
enough  to  iK)  Hure  that  if  they  search  long  enough 
they'll  find  us  somewhere  between  here  and  Howe 

Shoe  Bend. " 

A  constant  watch  was  now  maintained,  one  keeping 
his  attention  fastened  upo'  the  upp.  •  nart  of  the 
river  and  the  other  guard  Ai'i.tching  the  ic^  «)eh.w. 
Several  times  they  saw  logs  Moating  with  the  current, 
and  at  first  were  alarmed,  as  they  took  these  to  l)e 
canoes,  but  their  nearer  approach  each  time  scattered 
their  feai>*,  although  they  did  not  ceiwe  to  maintiun 

their  watch. 

The  trees  behind  them  were  large,  and  grew  close 
to  the  water's  .dgo.  Danger  might  l)e  h  king  in  the 
midst  of  these,  and  occasionally  one  of  the  lK)ys  left 
the  bank  anJ  wandered  for  a  short  distance  witlnn 
the  forest,  but  no  sign  of  an  approaching  en»«>y  was 
seen,  and  the  long  day  at  last  drew  to  a  close. 

"They'll  Ik3  sure  to  return,"  said  Josiah,  "  there s 
no  doubt  about  that;  but  if  we  get  tluough  tfa|night 
all  right,  it'll  ho  safe  enough  for  us  to  stM  agaui, 
though  I'm  inclined  to  tlunk  now  that  our  better 
couree  will  l)e  not  to  go  down  to  Hatchet  Creek  at 
all,  but  to  cross  the  river  and  start  overland." 


T 


n 


prokibly  they 
ihink  we  won't 
he  watch  for  us 
•tJiin  they  won't 
)y  know  us  well 
sh  long  enough 
here  and  Ilorae 

led,  one  keeping 
)j)r-  nart  of  the 
he  i«.  iKjhtw. 

,vith  the  current, 
x>ok  these  to  Ixj 
ih  time  scattered 
Base  to  niaintiviu 

J,  and  grew  close 
he  h  king  in  the 
>  of  the  Ixjys  left 
t  distance  within 
ching  eni«iy  was 
;o  a  close. 
i  Josiah,  "  there's 
Juough  Jfta^ight 
18  to  stOTlT  again, 
that  our  better 
Hatchet  Creek  at 
jverland." 


JBUllY'8  VENTURE 


297 


u  But  there'll  l)e  danger  there  too,"  said  Tom. 

.1  doubt,'' replied  the  hunter;  l^lnath^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
.vdskins  knew  we  had  started  for  Hatchet  (.  leek,  so 
r  th    opinion  that  they'll  1.  watclung  for  u,      . 

Zve  if  they  don't  come  back  here  pretty  soon.     O  , 

t^^^Z^^^^ri^--     r-s  sure  that  wen 
retcm  again,  .«   I  am  that  to-morrow's  BunwUl 

"u  Hut  if  Oeneml  Jackson  is  right  and  the  Indians 
are  ally  gtft^ering  at  lUn.e  Shoe  Bend,"  saxd  Jerry, 
"  don  'sSat  we'll  l.tter  matter,  by  gomg  across 
the  river.    It  will  be  like  jumping  out  of  the  fryxng- 

pan  into  the  ftV  replied  the    hunter; 

"That  may   all    be    true,      lei'" 
..  J„„e  d»„gcr  »iU  be  only  ge-eml  and  the  other 
«  U  bo  very  Uieub.r,  tor  tbereU  to  a  party  down 
C  tl»  nouth  of   Hatchet  Creek   watehing   for  J 
t  to  or  three  day.  yet,  you  .»ay  n»t  a^snred  of 

""only  one  ward  wa»  maintained  daring  the  night, 
.„d  Xh  Lu  hta  turn  at  t,>e  h.bor,  the^ber,  -- 
„ble  to  sleep  and  pun  their  needed  -^t;^ /hey 
ventOBd  to  start  a  small  iir.  in  the  »orn  ng,  ,^t 

'm&o  cook  the  fish  whieh  Ton,  caught  They 
la^f^red  to  «sume  their  «atch  and  Josjah  had 

*^:Ln  his  position  when  he  -OO-'^  ""^^ ^1 

"  There's  a  canoe  cminj  up  the  nver,  and  both  boys 

came  quickly  to  his  side. 


I— uifj  i,lW<]«  riiii 


208 


TK(  TMSKIIH   YOIINIJ    nUAVKS 


m  I 


Y»'«,  tlioii!  WiiH  II  littlo  moving  njint  wliiili  thuy 
could  Hft!  fur  down  t]w  riviT.  'i'lio  ki'i-ii  Ki;rl,t  wliii-li 
nil  posHfSMotl  HiitiHCu'd  each  tliiit  the  ImntcrV  wohIh 
wi'i-o  tnu',  and  forj,n!ttiiij;  nil  tlio  other  daiijjeix 
they  Htood  and  watrlu'd  the  approaihinj,'  object.  It 
Moon  took  on  a  more  definite  f«»rni,  and  they  could 
clearly  see  the  outlines  of  the  canoe,  and  discern  the 
three  figures  which  were  in  it.  No  other  canoes  were 
I'ol lowing,  at  least  none  that  they  could  see  iw  yet, 
and  it  was  not  long  before  they  could  clearly  make 
out  the  bodies  of  the  men  as  they  plied  their  paddles. 

"That's  C'aptain  .lim's  canoe,"  said  Tom  at  last 
excitedly;  "and  if  I  am  not  very  much  mistaken, 
they're  Tecumseh's  ycunig  braves  themselves." 

The  three  men  were  soon  near  enough  to  confirm  the 
trutb  of  Tom's  words,  and  the  hunter  iw  well  ua  the 
l)oy8  were  highly  excited  iw  they  watched  their  move- 
ments. As  the  canoe  approached  the  place  where 
their  cam})  had  been,  one  of  the  Indians  laid  iwide  his 
paddle,  while  they  cautiously  and  slowly  approached 
the  shore.  Evidently  there  wa«  something  strange  in 
all  this,  and  the  boys  eagerly  waited  to  see  what  the 
outcome  would  be.  Their  curiosity  was  soon  satisfied 
when  the  little  canoe  was  sent  ashore  and  the  three 
Indians,  after  diawing  it  upon  the  bank,  disappeared 
among  the  bushes. 

What  could  be  the  meaning  of  it  all  ?  Had  they 
returned  hoi)ing  to  find  their  companions  in  the  place 


Tfc.'l-'jl    .   .1  I      ll        1 HFTT  «I— r 


kVKS 

ipdt  wlii(!h    thtiy 
een  Mij^lit  wliicli 

IiiiiiU;i''h  \V(H<ls 
I)  other  (liiiigei's 
I'hiiig  ohjfct.     It 

and  they  couhl 

and  dlHcurn  the 
itluT  canoes  were 
ouhl  Hec  iiH  yet, 
uld  eUnirly  make 
ied  their  padiUes. 
aid  Tom  at  hwt 

much  nuHtuken, 
emselves." 
gli  to  confirm  the 
.'!•  i\H  well  aa  the 
.died  their  move- 
the  place  wliero 
an8  laid  iiHide  his 
owly  approached 
ething  strange  in 

to  see  what  the 
wixa  soon  satisfied 
ore  and  the  three 
)ank,  disappeared 

b  all?    Had  they 
lions  in  the  place 


wmmi^mm 


JHUUVH   VKNTIIUK 


21»'.» 


where  they  had  left  then.,  or  wore  they  con.inK  now 

liHencmicH? 

»'rhat  heaU*  anything  I've  ever  seen  mall  my  expe- 
riences,"  Hai.l  Josiah.  "  I've  Injen  tr.-ed  by  panthers 
and  hugged  by  bears,  but  I've  never  Injen  so  con.- 
pletely  nonplussed  .w  I  an.  now;  but  I  k..ew  those 
redskins  were  traito..,  all  the  ti...e,  an.l  their  cming 
back  doesn't  proi..is((  us  any  go(«l." 

-  H.it  I  thought  y<.u  said  you  were  sure  they  would 
con.e  back,"  said  .lerry.  . 

"So  1  W.W,"  8ai<l  Josiah;   "luid  you  see  T  was.,  t 
fooled  cither,  for  there  they  are.     I  feel  a  little  like 
an  old  man  1  knew  dow..  the  river  who  used  to  s  eer 
his  own  scow  eve,7  spring,  and  carry  a  load  ot  stuff 
down   to    Mobile.     I  was  with   him   one   .lay  when 
he  wivs  bragging  aln.ut  his  knowledge  of  the  r-  ver 
.  Why   I  know  every  rock  an.l  bar  in  tlus  stream,  said 
ho  •  and  he  hadn't  the  w..r.1^  fairly  out  of  his  mouth 
before   buu.p  ^vent   the  scow  hu^t  agroun.l  on  one 
^There's  one  of  them,'  said  the  ..Id  man;  '/l^J^^  1 
tell   you  I   knew  every  spot  in  the  river?'     Well, 
that's  alK>ut  the  way  I  feel  now.     I  knew  what  the 
redskins  would  do,  and  yo.i   see   they  ve  done  it, 
though  whether  it  promises  us  any  good  or  not  1  ra 

not  certain."  ,       «   i.u 

Suddenly  Jeny  bi-oke  in  uj^n  the  words  of  the 
hunter,  saying,  "  I'm  going  to  take  our  canoe  and  go 
over  there  and  see  for  myself  what  Tecuniseh  s  young 


nifuj  *> .  a>i»>g^^.j 


300 


TECUMSEHS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


biuves  are  doing.  I  never  half  believed  they  were  as 
bad  as  Josiah  tries  to  make  them  out,  and  I'm  going 
to  tiy  now  to  find  out  just  what  they're  up  to." 

"Well,  you're  not  going  alone,  then,"  said  Tom, 
"  for  I'm  going  with  you." 

"That  you're  not,"  said  the  hunter;  "and  I'm 
opposed  to  ei  ther  one  of  you  going." 

"  But  I'm  going  to  go,"  said  Jeriy  firmly,  "whether 
you're  opposed  to  it  or  not.  I'm  going  to  have  this 
matter  settled.  I  don't  believe  Captain  Jim  was  ever 
a  traitor,  and  I  know  I  shan't  run  into  any  harm." 

"Well,  if  you're  bound  to  go,"  said  Josiah,  "it's 
better  for  one  to  go  than  two.  So,  Jerry,  you  take  the 
canoe  and  go  alone.  If  you  get  into  any  trouble, 
you're  to  use  your  gun,  and  we'll  know  then  that 
we're  to  come  and  help  you." 

"  Yes,  without  any  canoe,"  said  Jerry. 

"  Oh,  that's  so !  "  said  the  hunter ;  "  I  hadn't  thought 
of  that.     I  don't  believe  you'd  better  go  at  all." 

"  But  I'm  going,"  said  Jerry ;  "  so  good-by  to  you." 

He  ran  quickly  down  to  the  shore,  and  stepping 
into  the  canoe  began  to  paddle  his  way  rapidly  across 
tlie  river. 


■V^Mi'Jwii^'m*: 


id  they  were  as 
,  and  I'm  going 
6  up  to." 
en,"  said  Tom, 

^r;    "and  I'm 

rmly, "  whether 
ig  to  have  this 
n  Jim  was  ever 
>  any  harm." 
id  Josiah,  "it's 
ry,  you  take  the 
to  any  trouble, 
lUow  then  that 

[  hadn't  thought 
go  at  all." 
jood-by  to  you." 
},  and  stepping 
y  rapidly  across 


A  DISTURB Kl)   PAKTY 


301 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

A   DISTURBED   PARTY 

THERE  were  sad  forebodings  in  the  hearts  of  those 
who  stood  on  the  bank  and  watched  Jerry  as  he 
made  his  way  across  the  stream.  They  were  afraid 
of  treachery  on  the  part  of  the  Indians  who  had  so 
strangely  left  them  and  so  unexpectedly  returned. 
Josiah  frequently  repeated  his  expressions  of  fear 
and  lack  of  confidence  in  the  young  braves,  and 
again  and  agam  declared  that  he  had  known  from 
the  beginning  that  they  would  prove  to  be  traitors 
and  bring  nothing  but  trouble  upon  their  friends. 

His  words  were  not  wthout  their  effect  upon  Tom, 
who  watched  the  movements  of  his  brother  with 
increasing  distrust.  They  held  their  guns  in  readi- 
ness, and  although  they  had  but  little  hope  of  being 
able  to  inflict  any  damage  at  the  distance  they  were 
from  the  other  bank,  still  they  resolved  to  do  what 
they  could,  and  assist  the  young  pioneer  if  he  should 
meet  with  unexpected  perils. 

Jerry  meanwhile  was  paddling  his  way  across  the 
river,  and  was  not  without  misgivings  of  his  own. 


/r,ift{iliVfatf~.iWi'ii   "'I  I" 


jai.v 


302 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


As  he  approaclied  the  bank  these  feara  increased,  and 
his  heart  was  beating  rapidly  when  at  last  he  landed, 
and,  after  drawing  his  canoe  into  a  safe  place,  started 
towards  the  bluff.  He  could  see  the  Indians  before 
they  noticed  him,  and  they  were  evidently  examining 
the  camp  for  signs  which  would  indicate  in  which 
direction  their  recent  companions  had  gone.  i 

As  Jerry  approached  and  spoke  to  them,  Captain 
Jim  uttered  a  low  exclamation,  and  all  three  turned 
and  faced  liim,  waiting  for  him  to  join  them.     The 
conversation  that  followed  was  not  a  lengthy  one,  iis 
the   Indians  were  not   much  given   to   talking;  but 
before  they  could  have  explained  the  cause  of  their 
sudden  disappearance  and  the  reason  for  their  return, 
there  suddenly  came  the  w^aming  signal  from  the 
other  bank  which  had  been  agreed  upon.     Jerry  at 
once  answered,  indicating  that  he  would  return,  and 
calling  to  the  young  braves,  he  bade  them  follow 
him.     lief  ore  they  could  step  into  their  canoes  the 
warning  was  repeated,  and  tliis  time  it  was  given  in 
such  an  urgent  manner  that  Jerry  knew  some  danger 
was  near.    Although  he  could  not  see  what  it  was, 
he  was  certain  that  it  was  close  by  and  threatening. 
He  called  upon  his  companions  to  hurry,  and  in  a 
few  moments  they  were  paddling  rapidly  across  the 
river. 

They  had  scarcely  arrived  at  the  other  shore,  and 
drawn  their  canoes  into  a  place  of  concealment,  when 


!,'aisa?,i>j!eww<iMMiJ''''!!,.'.»')i'  ;•". 


ES 

incretised,  and 
last  he  landed, 
e  place,  started 

Indians  before 
ntly  examining 
iicate  in  which 

I  gone.  i 
them,  Captain 

II  three  turned 
)in  them.  The 
lengthy  one,  a« 
o  talking ;  but 
5  cause  of  their 
for  their  retui-n, 
ignal  from  the 
ipon.  Jerry  at 
uld  return,  and 
de  them  follow 
heir  canoes  the 
it  was  given  in 
ew  some  danger 
lee  what  it  was, 
md  threatening, 
hurry,  and  in  a 
pidly  across  the 

other  shore,  and 
icealment,  when 


A   DISTURBED  PARTY 


303 


Josiah  called  their  attention  to  another  boat  which 
WJis  coming  rapidly  down  the  river.  Who  this  new 
party  was,  or  what  their  errand  was,  could  only  be 
conjectured,  and  the  uppermost  question  in  the  minds 
of  all  was  whether  the  return  of  Jerry  and  the  young 
braves  had  been  seen  or  not. 

"  There's  nothing  we  can  do  now  but  wait,"  said 
Josiah.  "  We'll  very  soon  know  whether  they  saw  you 
or  not.  But  there  are  only  three  in  that  canoe,  and,  if 
they  think  it  best  to  stop  and  investigate,  we're  ready 
for  them,  and,  I  think,  can  give  them  a  reception  they'll 
long  rememlier.  The  only  thing  I'm  afraid  of  is  that 
this  isn't  the  only  canoe,  but  that  others  may  be  fol- 
lowing." 

"  We've  had  excitement  enough  on  this  trip,"  said 

Tom. 

"  Yes ;  but  we're  likely  to  have  more  before  it's 
ended,"  replied  the  hunter.  "  Jackson  was  right  when 
he  said  that  the  woods  were  full  of  these  redskins, 
and  I  think  he's  correct,  too,  when  he  said  the  grand 
climax  was  coming  to  the  war  pretty  soon 

"  That's  the  way  I  feel  about  it,"  said  Jerry  ;  "  it 
seems  to  be  in  the  air.  The  soldiers  themselves  are 
acting  as  though  they  had  enlisted  for  their  last  en- 
gagement, and  it  is  plain  the  savages  are  rallying  for 
a  last  and  desperate  attack." 

"  If  they're  at  Horse  Shoe  Bend,"  said  Josiah,  "  it 
doesn't  mean  that  they're  so  likely  to  make  an  attack 


304 


TECUMSEH'S   YOUNG   BUAVES 


lis  it  does  that  they're  prepiviing  to  receive  the  one 
which  Jackson  will  make  ;  but  Hickory  will  be  enough 
for  them,  and  if  they  pen  themselves  in  there  at  the 
Hend,  it'll  be  just  what  he  wants.  But  I  wonder  who 
these  men  are  that  are  coming."' 

"  We'll  soon  see,"  said  Tom.  "  There's  only  one 
canoe ;   at  least  there's  only  one  in  sight  yet." 

"  I  think  that's  all,"  said  the  hunter,  "  for  in  times 
like  these  a  party  wouldn't  \ye  likely  to  scatter  very 
much.  They'd  keep  together  for  protection  if  there 
were  several  of  them." 

The  approaching  canoe  was  now  near  enough  for 
them  to  see  that  all  the  men  in  it  were  white.  They 
could  not  handle  their  paddles  as  well  as  the  Indians 
did,  and  yet,  although  their  paddling  wiis  somewhat 
awkward,  the  little  boat  responded  to  every  movement 
they  made,  and  came  rapidly  onward. 

"  They're  white  men,"  said  Tom,  in  a  low  voice. 

But  his  companions  made  no  reply.  They  were  too 
intent  upon  observing  the  movements  of  the  approach- 
ing party,  and  were  waiting  to  see  whether  they  had 
any  thought  of  landing  or  not.  If  they  had  noticed 
the  crossing  of  the  boys,  it  was  more  than  likely  that 
they  would  land  and  make  some  investigations.  If, 
however,  they  had  not  seen  them,  in  all  probability 
they  would  keep  on  their  course,  and  all  danger  from 
them  would  soon  disappear. 

Suddenly  Josiah  whispered,  "  Do  you  see  that  man 


L 


'imjii  \ii\nif»'m 


ive  the  one 
11  be  enough 
there  at  the 
wonder  who 

e's  only  one 

yet." 

'  for  in  times 

scatter  very 

tion  if  there 

enough  for 
^hite.     They 

the  Indians 
lis  somewhat 
ry  movement 

low  voice, 
'hey  were  too 
;he  approach- 
;her  they  had 
had  noticed 
m  likely  that 
igations.  If, 
1  probability 
L  danger  from 

see  that  man 


A   DISTURBED  PARTY 


305 


in  the  stem  ?  That's  the  Spaniard  that  took  me  pris- 
oner, and  the  other  two  with  him  are  Englishmen. 
I've  seen  them  a  good  many  times  before.  They've 
been  up  the  Coosa  for  no  good  purpose,  and  are  prol>- 
ably  doing  all  they  can  to  stir  up  the  Indians,  and 
furnish  supplies  and  arms  for  the  redskins.  I  wish  we 
could  stop  them.  I'd  like  to  take  that  fellow  into  my 
charge,  as  he  did  me  into  his."        •  ' 

Meanwhile  the  canoe  came  swiftly  on.  There  was 
no  indication  that  the  men  were  intending  to  land, 
and  the  fears  of  our  party  were  relieved  when  they 
saw  the  new-comers  pass.  They  came  so  close  to 
the  shore  that  they  could  easily  discern  the  features 
of  the  men,  and  it  liecarae  evident  that  Josiah  was 
right,  and  the  Spaniard  who  had  captured  him  was 
one  of  the  three  men  in  the  passing  canoe.  Almost 
as  rapidly  as  it  had  come,  the  little  boat  went  on 
down  the  stream  and  in  a  brief  time  had  disappeared 
from  sight. 

"  What  shall  we  do  now?"  asked  Jerry,  breathing 

a  sigh  of  relief. 

"  That  remains  to  be  seen,"  said  Josiah.  "  We'd 
better  find  out  what  these  young  Indians  have  got  to 
tell  us.  What  made  you  go.  Captain  Jim,  and  where 
have  you  been  ?  " 

The  young  Indian  felt  the  suspicion  in  Josiah's 
tone,  and  it  was  evident  that  he  reciprocated  the  feel- 
ings of  the  hunter.    He  would  reply  to  no  questions 


■i 


^f^—rnfmn, : '  '■"'  ''.., 


306 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


I 


at  first,  but  after  a  time  he  briefly  told  them  that  he 
had  heard  of  the  gathering  at  Ilorae  Shoe  Bend,  and 
that  he  now  wiis  informed  as  to  the  numbers  there, 
and  the  fortifications  which  were  l)eing  built,  and  also 
that  he  knew  of  the  preparations  which  were  being 
made  to  receive  the  expected  attack  of  Jackson's 

army. 

"  How  do  you  know  all  this  ? "  asked  Josiah  sus- 
piciously. 

But  Captain  Jim  made  no  reply,  nor  would  he 
enter  into  any  explanation  of  the  cause  of  their  dis- 
appearance on  the  previous. night.  The  boys,  with 
the  return  of  the  young  braves,  felt  their  own  confi- 
dence in  them  somewhat  restored,  and  were  willing  to 
trust  the  words  of  Captain  Jim,  and  return  at  once 
to  Fort  Strother  with  the  message  he  had  brought ; 
but  Josiah  so  strongly  objected  to  this  that  they 
were  compelled  to  listen,  and  prepared  to  follow  his 
instructions. 

"We'll  go  on  now,"  said  Josiah.  "I  think  our 
best  course  will  be  to  go  down  to  Hatchet  creek  as 
we  first  planned.  All  the  parties  we've  seen  have 
been  going  in  that  direction,  and  while  we're  likely 
to  run  into  a  nest  of  the  redskins  somewhere,  or  find 
some  of  these  treacherous  Spaniards  and  British  in  our 
course,  we're  strong  enough  to  find  our  way  if  there 
are  not  too  many  of  them,  and  hold  our  own  with  the 
best  of  them." 


them  that  he 
oe  Bend,  and 
imbers  there, 
uilt,  and  also 
1  were  being 
of  Jackson's 

d  Josiah  sus- 

lor  would  he 
of  their  dis- 
le  boys,  with 
eir  own  confi- 
rere  willing  to 
iturn  at  once 
had  brought ; 
lis  that  they 
to  follow  his 

"I  think  our 
chet  creek  as 
ve  seen  have 
)  we're  likely 
where,  or  find 
British  in  our 
r  way  if  there 
own  with  the 


A  DISTURBED  PARTY 


807 


As  soon  as  this  courae  of  action  had  l)een  decided 
upon,  they  brought  their  canoes  once  more  down  to 
the  river,  and  as  soon  a.s  everything  was  in  readmess, 
resumed  their  places  and  sUuted.     They  were  more 
watchful  now  than  ever,  and  the  sensa  of  danger 
increased  every  moment.     Josiah  was  calm  and  col- 
lected, and  apparently  cared  no  more  for  the  dangers 
into  which  they  were  entering  than  he  did  for  the 
quiet  life  at  the  camp  ;  but  the  boys  were  unable  to 
restrain   their  feelings,  and  as   they  went  on  their 
nervousness  increased. 

In  this  way  they  had  gone  about  five  miles,  when 
Captain  Jim  called  the  attention  of  them  all  to  smoke 
which  he  could  see  on  the  left  bank  farther  down  the 
river.     He  declared  that  it  was  the  smoke  of  a  white 
man's  fire,  and  the  keen^eyed  hunter,  who,  in  spite  of 
liis  age,  could  see  far  better  than  the  boys,  comcided 
in  the  judgment  of  the  young  Indian.    He  expressed 
liis  fear  in  low  tones  to  the  boys,  that  the  Indians 
were  leading  them  into  some  trap;  but  Tom  assured 
him  that  if  such  wai  the  motive  of  Captain  Jim  he 
had  taken  a  very  strange  method  of  action,  for  he  had 
called  their  attention  to  the  sign  of  danger  when  they 
were  still  far  away  from  it. 

"We'll  go  on  for  a  little  farther,"  said  Josiah  re- 
luctantly. "We'll  go  slowly  and  carefully,  though, 
and  hug  the  shore  all  the  way." 

The  smoke  became  more  distinct  now,  and  both 


Mm.i.wHiitmun'     I   w. 


808 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


Tom  and  Jerry  were  able  to  see  it  clearly.  They 
kept  on  their  course  until  they  were  about  a  half  mile 
above  the  phce  where  they  thought  the  fire  was,  and 
then  landed.  Their  canoes  were  hidden  in  the 
bushes,  and  they  withdrew  into  the  forest  to  talk 
over  their  plans.  Josiah  declared  that  he  knew 
every  foot  of  the  country  here,  and  his  advice  was 
that  they  should  advance  carefully  and  see  what 
there  was  about  the  fire. 

"  There  are  six  of  us,"  said  the  hunter,  "and  I've 
no  doubt  that  that  smoke  comes  from  the  fire  that 
those  three  white  men  we  saw  pass  us  up  the 
river  have  kindled.  I  should  like  to  turn  the 
tables  on  them,  and  carry  that  Spaniard  into  camp 
with  me." 

"  But  we  didn't  come  out  here  to  take  prisoners," 
said  Jerry.  "  If  we  should  be  lucky  enough  to  capture 
these  men,  it  would  prevent  us  from  going  on  to 
Horae  Shoe  Bend,  and  I  think  that  General  Jackson 
would  a  good  deal  rather  know  a  little  about  the  con- 
dition of  affairs  there  than  he  would  that  we  had 
come  back  to  camp  with  three  prisoners ;  besides,  we 
don't  know  that  this  camp  ahead  belongs  to  the  men 
we  saw,  at  all.  It  may  be  that  there's  a  dozen 
there." 

"That's  so,"  said  the  hunter  thoughtfully,  "and 
perhaps  we'd  better  send  some  one  ahead  to  try  and 
find  out  just  the  lay  of  the  land.    We  can't  be  more 


rjt'iirtiiiti[Trfmf*"°™ 


I 


learly.  They 
lut  a  half  mile 
5  fire  was,  and 
idden  in  the 
orest  to  talk 
hat  he  knew 
is  advice  was 
ind  see  what 

ter,  "and  I've 
.  the  fire  that 
IS  us  up  the 
to  turn  the 
ird  into  camp 

ke  prisoners," 
ugh  to  capture 
going  on  to 
neral  Jackson 
about  the  con- 
that  we  had 
s ;  besides,  we 
gs  to  the  men 
ere's  a  dozen 

[htfuUy,  "and 
ad  to  try  and 
can't  be  more 


'It 


.lu«l     li'tnli'    thrill    tlli'\     cullM 


-.-.■    till'    Cillllll 

/',i(l,  :!H;i. 


A    DISTUUBEl)    I'AUTY 


300 


thiin  half  a  miU-  away,  and  it  won't  take  long  to  find 
out  the  condition  of  atl'aii-H  ahead." 

It  wiw  accordingly  decided  that  Jerry  and  Captain 
Jim  Hhould  advance  and  learn  all  they  could  alnnit 
the  party  which  they  suspected  wiw  ho  near  tl>em.  Ah 
8oon  as  iK)HHil)le  they  were  to  return  to  the  otliers,  who 
would  remain  in  waiting  where  they  then  were,  and 
their  future  couitte  of  acti(m  would  lie  decided  upon. 
In  accordance  with  this  plan  Jerry  and  the  young 
Indian  started  through  the  woods,  and  after  they  had 
gone  the  niost  of  the  distance,  they  l)cgan  to  advance 
with  great  caution. 

They  stealthily  a^iproached,  all  the  time  endeavor- 
ing to  keep  some  large  tree  l)etween  them  and  the  camp, 
which  now  they  thought  they  might  see  at  any  mo- 
ment. They  went  on  for  some  distance  in  this  manner 
and  their  search  was  at  last  rewarded  by  the  view 
which  they  obtained.  Just  before  them  they  could  see 
the  camp.  There  were  only  tlu-ee  men  about  the  fire, 
and  they  had  no  difficulty  in  recognizing  them  as  the 
ones  who  had  come  down  the  river  in  the  canoe.  Two 
of  them  were  English  and  one  was  a  Spaniard,  and 
they  also  saw  that  Josiah  was  right  when  he  declared 
that  he  had  been  his  captor. 

The  men  were  talking  earnestly,  and  while  their 
tones  were  not  low,  the  boys  were  unable  to  hear 
what  the)'  said.  Accordingly  they  tried  to  creep  a 
little  nearer  the  camp,  and  so  successful  were  they 


310 


TECUM SEHS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


that  at  last,  standing  behind  a  large  tree,  thoy  were 
enabled  to  hear  the  conversation,  and  distinguish  the 
words  of  tlie  men  before  tlieni. 

Jerry  was  esjiecially  interested  in  what  he  heard, 
for  it  fully  confirmed  the  report  which  Captain  Jim 
had  brought,  and  strengthened  the  confidence  which 
he  had  in  Tecumseh's  young  braves.  The  men  were 
talking  about  Hoi-se  Shoe  Bend.  It  was  evident  that 
they  had  been  on  some  expedition  which  concerned 
the  gathering  of  the  Indians,  and  that  they  also  had 
been  busied  in  strengthening  the  courage  and  hopes  of 
the  Creeks.  Supplies  had  been  furnished  from  Pensa- 
cola,  and  a  large  number  of  white  men  had  been  at 
the  Bend,  assisting  the  Indians  in  erecting  the  fortifi- 
cations and  strengthening  their  defences. 

Their  conversation  soon  turned  upon  the  number  of 
men  who  were  assembled  there,  and  Jerry  was  de- 
lighted as  he  heard  even  the  number  of  the  Indians 
declared,  and  also  the  numbers  of  the  reinforcements 
which  they  were  expecting. 

So  interested  were  they  in  what  they  heard,  that 
more  time  passed  than  they  realized,  and  Jerry 
was  startled  when  his  companion  suddenly  touched 
his  arm  and  pointed  towards  the  forest  behind 
them. 

Jerry  looked  in  the  direction  Captain  Jim  had  in- 
dicated, and  could  plainly  see  a  number  of  men  who 
were  approaching  the  camp  after  the  manner  in  which 


tree,  tlioy  were 
distinguish  the 

what  he  heard, 
3h  Captain  Jim 
)nfidence  which 
The  men  were 
i^as  evident  that 
hich  concerned 
it  they  also  had 
ige  and  hopes  of 
lied  from  Pensa- 
en  had  been  at 
3ting  the  fortifi- 
!es. 

n  the  number  of 

I  Jerry  wiis  de- 

of  the  Indians 

reinforcements 

hey  heard,  that 

zed,   and   Jerry 

ddenly  touched 

forest    behind 

lin  Jim  had  in- 
bei"  of  men  who 
lanner  in  which 


A  DISTURBED  PARTY 


311 


they  themselves  had  come.  They  dodged  from  one 
tree  to  another,  and  were  endeavoring  all  the  time  to 
keep  themselves  concealed  within  the  shadows  of  the 

forest. 

Jerry's  firat  thought  was  to  break  and  run.  Here 
he  was  beset  by  two  dangera,  and  in  the  midst  «* 
both  he  was  fearful  that  his  own  chances  of  escape 
would  be  very  poor  indeed.  He  turned  to  put  his 
thought  into  action  when  he  was  startled  as  he 
recognized  his   brother  as  one  of  those  who  were 

approaching. 

Together  with  Captain  Jim,  he  then  withdrew  from 
the  place  in  which  he  had  been  standing,  and  soon 
they  met  their  advancing  companions.  The  cause  of 
their  approach  was  quickly  explained,  and  Josiah  told 
them  how  after  so  long  a  time  had  elaaped,  and  noth- 
ing having  been  heard  from  them,  they  began  to  be 
fearful  of  some  evil  having  befallen  Jerry  and  his 
companion,  and  decided  to  advance  to  their  aid. 

Jerry  told  his  friends  of  the  conversation  he  had  over- 
heard and  urged  them  at  once  to  return  to  their  canoes. 
Josiah,  however,  was  determined  to  see  for  himself 
the  condition  of  affairs  in  the  camp,  and  started  for- 
ward. He  had  taken  but  a  few  steps  when  his  ap- 
proach was  overheard,  and  the  three  men,  thoroughly 
alarmed,  quickly  rose  to  their  feet. 

They  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  othei-s  in  the  forest, 
who  as  soon  as  they  had  seen  that  Josiah's  approach 


f 


312 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


W118  known  had  started  to  advance  to  his  assistance ; 
but  the  white  men  did  not  wait  to  make  fu-  ther  inves- 
tigations, for  it  was  evident  that  they  thought  a  large 
party  wsus  approaching.  Their  presence  now  could 
no  loncer  be  concealed,  and  for  a  moment  the  two 
parties  stood  silently  facing  each  other. 


aMaiifiTiifriTtHHiiit'- 


J 


I.  .irijXiiiuHTain 


his  assistance; 
e  fu!  ther  inves- 
thought  a  large 
nee  now  could 
oment  the  two 
ler. 


UP  THE  COOSA 


m 


CHAPTER  XXXII 


UP  THE  COOSA 

THE  confusion  we  have  described  in  our  last  chap- 
ter lasted  but  a  moment.  When  all  the  mem- 
bers of  our  party  stepped  forth  into  view,  the  three 
men  into  whose  camp  they  had  broken  evidently 
thought  that  a  multitude  was  approachmg.  Each 
party  had  been  fearful  of  an  attack,  and  the  unex- 
pectid  meeting  which  had  taken  place  left  neither 
ready  for  prompt  action.  The  three  white  men,  how- 
ever, without  waiting  to  make  further  investigations, 
at  once  turned  and  ran  from  the  camp. 

At  first  they  started  towards  the  river  where  they 
had  left  their  canoe,  but  they  had  gone  but  a  short 
distance  when  the  folly  of  this  course  was  seen  and 
they  turned  quickly  and  ran  along  the  shore.  They 
dodged  in  and  out  among  the  trees  and  disappeared 
from  sight  almost  before  the  others  realized  what  had 
occurred.  They  were  gone,  that  was  evident,  but 
they  had  taken  no  guns  with  them,  and  there  was 
little  danger  now  if  an  engagement  should  occur. 


314 


TECUM8EHS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


Consequently,  Jasiiih,  urging  his  young  companions 
to  follow,  immediately  started  after  them. 

The  Imnter  kept  up  well  with  the  younger  men, 
and  for  fifteen  minutes  they  ran  in  the  direction  in 
which  they  thought  the  othei-s  had  gone.  During 
this  time  they  caught  no  glimpse  of  the  men,  and 
finally  Josiah,  almost  breathless,  stopped  and  said, 
"  There's  no  use  in  our  following  them  any  further. 
We  might  as  well  look  for  a  needle  in  a  hay-stack. 
The  thing  for  us  to  do  now  is  to  go  back  where  we 
came  from,  and  take  our  canoes  and  start  on  again. 
I  don't  think  these  men  will  be  very  likely  to  trouble 
us.  They  seemed  to  be  more  afraid  of  us  than  we 
were  of  them." 

The  mention  of  the  canoes  at  once  aroused  his  com- 
panions' interest,  and  they  returned  as  rapidly  as 
possible  to  the  place  where  they  had  left  them.  If 
these  had  been  taken,  they  would  be  left  without  any 
means  of  continuing  their  voyage  down  the  river,  or 
of  returning.  As  they  approached  the  river  again, 
Captain  Jim  called  their  attention  to  a  little  canoe 
they  could  see  far  out  on  the  water.  In  it  there 
were  three  men,  and  they  had  no  difficulty  in  recog- 
nizing them  at  once  as  those  whom  they  had  been 
pursuing. 

"They've  doubled  on  us  arid  got  away,"  said 
Josiah.  "  They  led  us  down  the  stream  and  then 
dodged  about  amongst  the  trees  and  came  back  to 


'^."••'*i/rm 


ng  companions 

im. 

3  younger  men, 

the  direction  in 

gone.     During 

the  men,  and 
iped  and  said, 
in  any  further. 

in  a  hay-stack, 
back  where  we 

start  on  again, 
ikely  to  trouble 

of  us  than  we 

roused  his  com- 
as rapidly  as 
[  left  them.  If 
Bft  without  any 
m  the  river,  or 
lie  river  again, 
)  a  little  canoe 
r.  In  it  there 
culty  in  recog- 
they  had  been 

jt  away,"  said 

ream  and  then 

came  back  to 


UP  THE  COOSA 


315 


their  camp.     They've   got  their  canoe  now,  and  we 
shan't  be  able  to  catch  them." 

"I  wonder  if  they  have  their  guns,  too,"  snid 
Jerry,  and  he  started  towards  the  camp  which  they 
had  abandoned,  but  he  soon  saw  that  nothing  had 
been  left  behind.  They  had  been  outwitted  cleverly, 
and  there  was  nothing  for  them  to  do  now  but  to 
decide  what  their  own  movements  should  be. 

« It's  that  young  Indian's  fault,"  said  Josiah  in  a 
surly  tone,  pointing  to  Captain  Jim.  "  I  think  he 
knows  more  about  this  camp  than  he  cares  to  tell." 

But  the  young  brave  was  silent,  apparently  not 
hearing  the  hunter,  or  giving  him  any  attention  if  he 
had  heard  liis  words.  Josiah  was  much  chagrined. 
He  prided  himself  upon  his  woodcraft,  and  his  ability 
to  do  in  the  forest  more  than  other  men,  and  now  to 
have  been  outwitted  by  his  captor  and  the  tv  o  men 
who  were  with  him,  increased  the  mortification  of  the 
hunter,  and  he  was  inclined  to  vent  his  feelings  upon 
his  companions.  He  stood  on  the  bluff  for  a  moment, 
and  fired  a  shot  at  the  departing  canoe,  but  it  was 
too  far  away  for  him  to  inflict  any  damage.  One 
of  the  men  waved  his  hand  tauntingly,  but  that  was 
the  only  reply  they  received. 

Our  party  now  assembled  about  the  fire  which  the 
others  had  abandoned,  and  there  Jeny  told  the  story 
which  he  had  overheard  when  he  had  approached  the 
camp.    The  wamors  from  the  Hickory  Ground,  Oak- 


316 


TECUMSKirS  YOUNG   BKAVES 


choye,  P^ufauliihachc,  Fish  Pond  town,  and  many 
others  had  gathered  together  at  the  Horse  Shoe  Bond, 
or  Tohopeka,  as  the  Indians  called  the  peninsula 
formed  by  the  loop  of  the  Tallapoosa. 

In  this  little  peninsula  there  were  about  one 
hundred  acres.  Jerry  reported  that  many  wliite  men 
from  Pensacola  either  were  there  now,  or  had  been 
there  recently,  and  along  with  some  of  the  half-breeds 
had  built  a  very  strong  brciustwork  of  logs  across  the 
neck  of  the  peninsula.  Through  this  breastwork 
they  had  cut  two  rows  of  port-holes,  and  arranged 
them  in  such  a  manner  that  those  who  should  assail 
the  place  would  be  exposed  to  a  cross-fire  from  those 
within.  Behind  this  breastwork  was  a  mass  of  logs 
and  brush,  and  near  the  river  at  the  base  of  the 
peninsula  there  was  a  village  of  log  huta  where  the 
Indians  had  moored  hundreds  of  their  canoes,  so 
that  if  the  garrison  should  be  hard  pressed  they 
would  have  means  of  escape  convenient. 

The  most  of  this  peninsula  was  covered  with  trees. 
Stores  and  supplies  of  food  sufficient  for  a  long  siege 
had  been  collected  in  the  fort,  and  the  Indians 
assembled  there  thought  they  were  prepared:  to  resist 
almost  any  attack  that  might  be  made  upon  them. 

Jeny  told  all  this  to  his  interested  listeners,  and 
Josiah  quietly  asked,  "  Did  you  hear  them  say  how 
many  there  were  there?" 

"Yes,  they  said  that  with  the  women  and  children 


J 


US 

n,  and  many 
•se  Shoe  Bond, 
the  peninsula 

re  about  one 
my  wliite  men 
,  or  had  been 
the  half-breeds 
logs  across  the 
lis  breastwork 
and  arranged 
[)  should  assail 
•fire  from  those 
a  mass  of  logs 
le  base  of  the 
iut3  where  the 
leir  canoes,  so 
.  pressed  they 
ent. 

jred  with  trees, 
[or  a  long  siege 
1  the  Indians 
epared-  to  resist 
upon  them, 
i  listeners,  and 
■  them  say  how 

m  and  children 


UP  THE  COOSA 


317 


there  were  about  twelve  hundred.  I  think  they  said 
that  about  a  quarter  of  the  number  was  made  up  of 
these.  It  seems,"  continued  Jerry,  "the  Indians 
regard  this  spot  as  absolutely  safe,  and  they're  a 
good  deal  cheered  up  since  the  fight  at  Emucfau  and 
Econochaca." 

"  Emucfau  is  only  about  four  or  five  miles  away 
from  the  Bend,"  said  Josiah,  "and  they  haven't  had 
far  to  go  since  the  la.st  fight.  They  call  this  Horae 
Shoe  Bend  Cholocco  Litabixee  in  their  language, 
and  it's  a  good  place,  too." 

"But  what  shall  we  do  now?  The  words  Jerry 
has  heard,"  said  Tom,  "are  just  like  those  which 
Captain  Jim"  reported.  I  don't  see  any  use  in  our 
going  on,  and  I  think  we'd  better  start  back  for  the 
fort.  We  should  have  to  take  a  good  many  char^ces  in 
making  our  way  on  to  the  Bend,  for  it's  a  good  forty 
miles  from  here  at  least,  and  if  we  should  happen  to 
be  taken  prisoners,  or  any  accident  occur,  this  infor- 
mation which  we  have  now  had  from  two  sources 
would  be  lost  to  General  Jackson,  and  I  think  he 
cares  more  about  that  than  anything  else  that  we  can 

do  just  now." 

"Well,  our  white  men  have  gone,"  said  Josiah, 
"  but  they've  left  some  information  behind  them." 

"Yes,  and  that's  a  good  deal  better  than  taking 
three  prisoners,"  said  Tom. 

'Well,  I  reckon,"  said  Josiah,  "that  we've  got 


tn;. 


818 


TECUMSRII'S  YOUNO   BRAVES 


'i 


about  tlie  truth  of  the  mutter,  and  tlie  general  will  Ije 
glad  to  hear  it,  and,  of  course,  he  ought  to  know  what 
we've  learned  although  we  have  had  it  Hecond  hand. 
We  might  get  off,  as  Tom  says,  if  we  started  to  go 
across  the  country,  so  I'm  inclined  to  think  that  we'd 
better  do  as  he  suggests." 

This  proposal  was  at  once  agreed  to,  and  going  to 
their  canoes  they  immediately  embarked  and  started 
on  their  voyage  up  the  river.  Captain  Jim  insisted 
upon  taking  Jerry  in  his  canoe,  and  this  left  one  of 
the  young  Indians  to  go  in  the  other.  As  they 
paddled  on.  Captain  Jim  told  his  young  friend  the 
story  of  his  absence.  He  did  this  in  few  words,  and 
in  a  very  disjointed  manner,  but  Jerry  learned  a  new 
side  of  his  friend's  character. 

It  seemed  that  the  sight  of  Weatherford,  or  Red 
Eagle  as  he  was  often  called,  had  aroused  the  feelings 
of  the  young  brave  more  than  he  knew  at  the  time. 
The  thought  uppermost  in  his  mind  was  of  the  strug- 
gle all  his  friends  were  making  to  keep  the  lands  of 
the  Creek  Indians  from  the  white  men,  and  hold  them 
for  the  use  of  their  own  people.  Into  this  region 
many  reckless  and  evil-minded  men  had  come,  and  the 
Indians  had  suffered  greatly  at  their  hands.  It  was 
natural  that  they  should  wish  to  retaliate,  and  they 
had  done  this  after  their  own  traditions  and  customs. 

After  Weatherford  and  his  party  had  gone  down 
the  stream,  Captain  Jim  thought  over  these  things, 


AVES 


UP  THE  COOSA 


319 


le  general  will  Ije 
fbt  to  know  what 
(1  it  second  hand, 
we  started  to  go 
D  thiiik  that  we'd 

to,  and  going  to 
rked  and  started 
iain  Jim  insisted 
.  this  left  one  of 
other.  As  they 
^ouiig  friend  the 
I  few  words,  and 
ry  learned  a  new 

.therford,  or  Red 
used  the  feelings 
new  at  the  time, 
was  of  the  strug- 
eep  the  lands  of 
n,  and  hold  them 
Into  this  region 
lad  come,  and  the 
r  hands.  It  was 
taliate,  and  they 
)ns  and  customs, 
had  gone  down 
'^er  these  things, 


and  could  not  rouse  himself  from  their  influenc(f. 
More  and  nu)re  he  longed  to  sec  the  halt'-hreed  leader 
again,  and  to  hear  frouj  him  some  word  such  as  he 
had  often  spoken  to  his  young  brave.  The  feeling 
had  iHJcome  so  intense,  that  at  last  during  the  night, 
when  he  was  on  guard,  he  had  resolved  to  leave  his 
white  companions  and  once  more  join  the  warriors  of 
his  nation. 

He  knew  that  Weatherford  could  not  be  very  far 
down  the  stream  in  advance  of  them,  and  summoning 
the  two  young  braves  they  had  taken  their  canoe  and 
stai-ted  down  the  river. 

They  had  soon  found  Weatherford,  and  to  him 
Captain  Jim  had  freely  told  hif.  own  feelings,  and  his 
experiences  during  the  past  few  weeks.  Weatherford 
had  replied  in  a  dignified  manner,  but  sadly,  and  told 
the  young  braves  that,  while  he  should  be  glad  to 
have  their  aid,  he  was  liimself  convinced  that  the  war 
was  almost  over,  and  that  this  last  stand  that  the 
Creeks  were  trying  to  make  at  Horse  Shoe  Bend 
would  be  the  end  of  the  struggle.  Perhaps  it  also 
would  be  the  end  of  the  existence  of  the  nation.  At 
any  rate,  he  had  not  encouraged  the  young  braves  to 
follow  him,  and  had  told  them  that  if  they  could  re- 
main where  they  were,  without  fighting  against  their 
own  nation,  it  would  be  better  for  them  to  do  so. 

When  Captain  Jim  had  told  him  of  the  expedition 
on  which  he  had  started  with  the  other  braves  and 


8S0 


TECUMSKirS  YOUNO  BRAVES 


his  white  f()ini»iiuion9,  VVcatherfora  hud  replied  that 
he  hud  no  het  ituti(.ii  in  dechiiing  just  the  condition  of 
affaii-8  ut  IIo'--»e  Shoe  Hend,  and  it  wus  from  him  that 
the  young  brave  had  (jhtained  tlie  information  which 
he  brought  back  to  his  comi)anion8,  and  had  reported 
soon  after  hi»  arrival. 

Somehow  in  Jerry'H  heart  there  was  an  increiwed 
i-espect  for  TecumHeh's  young  braves.  He  realized 
now  as  he  never  had  before  how  severe  wa«  the  strug- 
gle in  their  own  hearts,  and  how  strong  the  love  they 
had  for  their  own  nation.  They  were  as  much 
ItatriotB  a**  any  men  who  had  fought  for  their  land  and 
homes,  and  the  only  trouble  arose  from  the  fact  that 
others  had  envied  their  possessions  and  had  striven 
to  drive  them  away  from  the  homes  of  their  ancestora. 
This  convei-sation  Jerry  did  not  repeat  until  years 
afterwaid,  and  then  only  to  his  brother. 

The  canoes  meanwhile  steadily  made  their  way  up 
the  Coosa,  and  by  nightfall  our  party  had  arrived  at 
the  caves  in  which  they  had  sought  shelter  so  re- 
cently. In  spite  of  the  danger,  it  was  decided  that 
they  would  again  use  these  places ;  but  this  time  no 
visitors  came,  and  without  any  interruption  they  re- 
sumed their  voyage  early  on  the  following  morning. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  they  arrived  at  Fort  Strother, 
but  as  they  entered  within  the  enclosure  it  was  appai> 
ent  that  there  was  confusion  in  the  fort.  The  fiist 
man   they  saw   was  Big   Bob,   who   good-naturedly 


s 

replied  that 
B  coiulitiou  of 
TOin  him  that 
Illation  which 

had  reported 

an  increiised 

He  realized 

was  the  strug- 

the  love  they 
ere  as  much 
their  land  and 

the  fact  that 
d  had  striven 
heir  ancestora. 
it  until  years 

3  their  way  up 
liad  arrived  at 
shelter  so  re- 
3  decided  that 
t  this  time  no 
option  they  re- 
ing  morning. 
,  Fort  Strother, 
re  it  was  appai^ 
fort.     The  fiist 
good-naturedly 


UP  THE  COOSA 


321 


ndvanocd  and  volunt4>ered  the  information  that  every- 
iKidy  wius  ready  for  something,  and  seemed  to  Ikj  wait- 
ing for  it,  but  just  what  it  was  he  could  not  make  out, 
though  he  told  them  that  there  had  l)een  many  ad- 
ditions to  the  fon-es  at  the  fort  since  their  departure, 
and  that  everything  seemed  to  Iw  ready  for  Jackson 
to  start  for  some  other  place.  "  And  that's  what  I 
think  he's  up  to,"  said  Big  Bob  as  he  left  them. 

The  appearance  of  the  fort  had  greatly  changed  dur- 
ing the  absence  of  our  friends,  and  many  of  the  forces 
which  we  have  mentioned,  already  had  arrived. 

While  the  boys  were  curiously  olwerving  the  now- 
comens,  Josiah  left  them  to  go  and  report  to  Geneml 
Jackson  the  result  of  their  expedition.  He  did  this 
with  considerable  fear,  for  he  thought  the  general 
might  l)e  inclined  to  blame  them  for  returning  before 
they  had  carried  out  his  instructions ;  but  when  Josiah 
entered  his  quartera  he  soon  found  that  he  already 
had  received  news  from  the  Horse  Shoe,  and  this  ex- 
actly corresponded  with  the  report  which  Captain  Jim 
had  brought  and  the  words  which  Jerry  had  overheard 
in  the  camp  they  had  disturbed. 

"  Your  young  Indian  was  right,"  said  Josiah,  as  he 
returned  once  more  to  the  boys,  "  but  how  and  where 
he  learned  it  is  more  than  I  can  tell."  Jerry  knew 
that  he  could  enlighten  him,  but  he  had  no  disposition 
to  do  so,  and  the  secret  of  the  young  brave  was 
secure. 


322 


TKCUMSKIIR  YOITNO  BRAVRS 


The  camp  wiw  a  busy  place  now,  and  the  arrange- 
ment went  forward  liurriedly  for  the  Htart  which  was 
soon  to  Ih)  made  for  I  loi-se  Shoe  Bend. 

One     morning     tht)    lK)y8    were    surprised    when 
Teeunjseh's  yoiing  ))rave.s  did  not  join  them  as  they   ' 
usually  did,  and  lus   the  hours  went  on  they  con- 
eluded  that  they  must  have  left  the  camp. 

"  There's  no  accounting  for  Indians,"  said  Jfwiah. 
"You  think  you've  got  them,  and  then  you  haven't; 
and  it's  just  as  likely  as  not  they  have  cleared  out  to 
take  word  to  Weatherford  of  what's  going  on  here." 

Jerry  hintself  had  fears  that  the  hunter's  words 
might  Ikj  true,  and  yet  he  had  a  stronger  confidence  in 
his  Indian  friends  than  he  ever  had  had  before  Cap- 
tain Jim  told  him  his  story  in  the  canoe. 

All  things  at  last  were  in  readiness,  and  the  start 
was  alx)ut  to  be  made.  Genei-al  Jackson  sent  his 
stores  in  flat-boats  down  the  Coosa,  and  in  charge  of 
them  placed  Colonel  Williams  and  his  regiment.  He 
left  Colonel  Steele  with  a  garrison  of  four  hundred 
and  fifty  men  at  Fort  Strother,  and  then  with  all  the 
remainder  of  his  army  he  commenced  his  march 
towards  the  Tallapoosa  on  the  sixteenth  day  of  March, 
1814.  The  soldiers  were  eager  for  the  journey,  and 
although  there  was  only  one  drum  in  the  entire  force, 
the  march  was  not  lacking  ux  spirit. 


i 


J 


the  iirrange- 
irt  which  was 


U0U8E  81I0B  BEND 


323 


rprised  when 
tht'in  iw  they 
on  they  con- 
amp. 

"  said  Jfwiah. 
you  haven't; 
cleared  out  to 
ng  on  here." 
unter's  words 
'  conhdence  in 
id  before  Cap- 

and  the  start 
ikson  sent  his 
d  in  charge  of 
regiment.  He 
four  hundred 
en  with  all  the 
jed  his  march 
1  day  of  March, 
e  journey,  and 
he  entire  force. 


CHAPTER  XXXHI 

HORSE  SHOE  BEVD 

nENEllAL  JACKSON,  along  .^ith  the  flatboats 
VJ    which  he  had  sent  down  the  nver,  h.ul  despatched 
a  large  l«dy  of  the  regulars  with  orde,^  to  n.eet  lam 
near'tho  mouth  of  Cedar  creek.     Before  hcleft    h 
camp,  however,  he  had  stirred  the  hearts  of  all  b  . 
Boldiei.,  and  especially  impressed  the  muxds  of  oar 
young  acquaintances  by  the  summary  pui-  .h^  ant  he 
visited  upon  one  of  his  men. 

As  we  know,  he  had  been  troubled  by  the  mutmous 
spirit  among  his  soldiei.,  and  one  man  m  particular 
among  the  West  Tennessee  troops   had  again  and 
again  incited  his  companions  to   mutinv.     He  wa. 
only  a  private,  and  yet  the  gcneml  felt  that  the  txme 
had  come  to  visit  summary  punishment  upon  such 
disturbers.     Accordingly  this  man  waB  sentenced  to 
•    death,  and  a.  this  wa.  his  second  offence,  the  genera 
finnly  refused  to  pardon  h=..    The  sentence  was  at 
once  carried  into  effect,  a  :.     l.e  example  Urns  pre- 
sented  exerted  a  very  salutary  influence  on  the  entire 
army. 


1 


#fr 


...v.W 


> 


324 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


The  journey  of  his  forces  was  slowly  made  for 
the  reason  that  a  road  had  to  be  cut  through  the 
woods  for  much  of  the  way.  The  river  was  badly 
swollen  by  the  rains,  and  even  the  little  creeks  were 
filled  to  the  tops  of  their  banks ;  but  so  resolute  was 
the  leader,  and  so  willing  now  were  his  foUowera, 
that  by  the  twenty-first  they  arrived  at  the  mouth  of 
Cedar  creek.  The  supply  boats  and  the  regulars 
johied  them  the  very  next  day,  and  there  Fort 
Williams  was  built  as  a  basis  of  supplies,  and  plans 
were  made  by  which  tliis  place  was  to  be  kept  in  open 
communication  with  Fort  Strother.  He  left  a  large 
body  of  his  followers  here,  and  with  about  two 
thousand  effective  men  resumed  his  march  for  the 
Horse  Shoe  Bend. 

Previous  to  this  time  General  Jackson  had  arranged 
the  forces  under  his  command  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
cover  all  that  region.  He  was  determined  to  strike  a 
blow  which  would  put  an  end  to  the  war,  even  if  it 
exterminated  the  "  Red  Sticks."  Colonel  Dvor  had 
been  ordered  to  scour  the  country  between  the  Coosa, 
the  Black  Warrior,  and  Cahawba  as  far  down  as 
the  old  towns ;  the  Choctaws  and  Chickasaws,  who 
were  now  acting  with  him,  were  directed  to  watch 
the  country  west  of  the  Tombigbee  and  prevent  any  of 
the  "  Red  Sticks  "  escaping  from  beyond  the  Missis- 
sippi ;  and  the  Cherokees  received  very  careful  instruc- 
tions to  range  about  the  head  waters  of  the  Tallapoosa. 


-B»rwa«r- 


'■ES 

}wly  made  for 
It  through  the 
ver  was  badly 
ble  creeks  were 
so  resolute  was 
his  foUowei-s, 
b  the  mouth  of 
i  the  regulars 
id  there  Fort 
)lies,  and  plans 
)e  kept  in  open 
le  left  a  large 
ith  about  two 
march  for  the 

m  had  arranged 
a  manner  as  to 
.ned  to  strike  a 
war,  even  if  it 
onel  Dvor  had 
reen  the  Coosa, 
s  far  down  as 
lickasaws,  who 
cted  to  watch 
prevent  any  of 
md  the  Missis- 
3areful  instruc- 
the  Tallapoosa. 


HORSE  SHOE  BEND 


325 


At  the  same  time  there  was  a  large  force  of  North 
Carolina  and  South  Carolina  militia,  of  which  Colonel 
Pearson  was  in  charge,  who  had  relieved  tho  Georgia 
troops  which  General  Floyd  had  led  on  the  eustorn 
borders  of  the  Creek  country,  and  these  were  held 
in  readiness  to  act  in  any  movement  that  might  be 
made  against  the  fastnesses  and  liiding-places  of  the 
hostile  Indians. 

As  soon  as  the  work  at  Fort  Williams  was  far 
enough  advanced  to  satisfy  the  energetic  general,  he 
again  took  up  the  line  of  march  and  started  across 
the  country  on  the  morning  of  the  twenty-fourth  for 
the  H^^rse  Shoe  Bend.  The  men  who  remained  at 
Fort  Williams  —  and  there  weio  many  of  these  —  were 
told  to  protect  the  supplies  and  continue  the  labor  on 
the  fortifications  there. 

Old  Hickory  pushed  steadily  eastward,  and  early 
on  the  morning  of  the  twenty-seventh  he  halted 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  breastworks  at  the  Horse 
Shoe  Bend  and  sent  out  parties  to  reconnoitre.  His 
spies  soon  informed  him  of  the  position  of  the  Indians, 
and  General  Jackson  was  delighted  with  the  news 
they  brought.  As  we  know,  the  Indians  had  erected 
a  breastwork  of  logs  from  five  to  eight  feet  high 
across  the  narrow  neck  of  the  Bend.  In  this  there 
were  double  port-holes  which  had  been  arranged  with 
much  skill  and  ingenuity.  In  this  labor  the  British 
and  Spaniards  had  assisted,  and  many  of  the  half- 


■1 


326 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


'!i* 


breeds  had  been  active  in  planning  and  forwarding 

the  work. 

Within  this  enclosure  there  were  about  a  hundred 
acres  of  land.  The  centre  was  high  ground  covered 
with  brush  and  fallen  timber.  At  the  lower  extrem- 
ity of  the  peninsula,  on  the  river  bottom,  as  it  was 
called,  was  the  Indian  village.  ' 

General  Jackson  was  now  but  six  miles  distant 
from  the  Horse  Shoe,  and  as  his  spies  had  given 
him  full  information  of  the  number  and  location  of 
the  foes,  he  prepared  at  once  to  act,  and  early  on 
the  following  morning  sent  General  Coffee  with  the 
mounted  men  and  most  of  the  Indians  with  instruc- 
tions to  cross  the  river  at  a  ford  two  miles  below  the 
village,  and  to  take  possession  of  the  high  grounds 
on  the  opposite  bank,  so  that  all  escape  in  that  quarter 

would  be  cut  off. 

With  the  remainder  of  his  forces  General  Jackson 
marched  to  a  position  in  front  of  the  enemy's  breast- 
works, where  he  halted  and  waited  for  the  signal 
which  had  been  previously  agreed  upon,  and  which 
would  inform  him  that  General  Coffee  was  ready  for 
the  action  to  begin. 

As  soon  as  this  had  been  received,  the  main  column 
immediately  moved  forward. 

The  two  pieces  of  artillery,  a  six  and  a  three 
pounder,  were  planted  on  a  hill  only  about  eighty 
yards  from  the  left  of  the  enemy's  line,  and  at  half- 


..-^smt 


IS 

id  forwarding 

)ut  a  hundred 
round  covered 
lower  extrem- 
tom,  as  it  was 

miles  distant 
)ies  had  given 
ind  location  of 

and  early  on 
;^offee  with  the 
is  with  instruc- 
ailes  below  the 
!  high  grounds 
I  in  that  quarter 

eneral  Jackson 
enemy's  breast- 
for  the  signal 
pon,  and  which 
le  was  ready  for 

he  main  column 

Ix  and  a  three 
ly  about  eighty 
lue,  and  at  half- 


HORSE  SHOE  BEND 


327 


past  ten  fire  was  opened  on  the  works,  under  the 
direction  of  Captain  Bradford,  the  chief  engineer; 
but  the  wall  was  not  seriously  affected. 

Indeed,  as  the  small  balls  were  buried  in  the  logs 
and  earth,  the  Indians  shouted  in  derision,  and  fiercely 
defied  the  attacking  forces,  meanwhile  warmly  return- 
ing their  fire.  For  nearly  two  hours  the  cannonade 
was  kept  up  with  great  spirit  and  activity,  although 
many  of  the  rifles  or  muskets  were  not  used  except 
when  the  dusky  warriora  incautiously  exposed  them- 
selves. 

Meanwhile  the  friendly  Indians  had  advanced  to 
the  left  bank  of  the  river,  while  General  Coffee  re- 
mained on  the  high  ground  with  the  rest  of  his  troops. 
Some  of  the  Cherokees,  who  were  very  active  in  the 
fight,  now  discovered  that  the  enemy's  canoes,  which 
were  drawn  up  on  the  shore,  as  we  know,  near  the 
village,  had  been  left  unguarded. 

Tliey  at  once  plunged  into  the  stream,  swam  across 
the  river,  and  paddled  back  with  many  of  the  canoes 
which  they  had  seized.  Means  having  been  thus  pro- 
vided for  crossing,  the  Cherokees,  headed  by  their 
chief,  Robert  Brown,  and  accompanied  by  Colonel 
Morgan  and  Captain  Russell,  accompanied  the  spies 
across  to  the  village,  set  the  little  town  on  fire,  and  at 
once  moved  against  the  enemy  in  the  rear  of  their 
works.  The  smoke  from  the  burning  huts  assured 
General  Jackson  that  all  tilings  were  moving  in  that 


6im^!^mmse^ 


■^"IPWfp^^-W?^ 


328 


TECUMSEH'9  YOUNG  BRAVES 


quarter  as  he  desired,  but  the  slackening  of  the  fire 
of  the  assailants  made  him  think  they  wore  too  few 
to  tUslodge  the  Indians,  and  very  Ukely  were  in  peril 
themselves. 

The  Indians  were  fighting  with  the  utmost  bravery 
and  desperation.  Every  avenue  by  which  they  might 
have  fled  now  was  occupied  by  the  American  troops, 
and  their  homes  were  in  flames.  Still  they  refused 
to  surrender,  and  thus  far  were  successfully  resist- 
ing every  attempt  of  the  spies  and  the  Cherokees  to 

te,      dislodge  them. 

General  Jactaon's  soldiers  were  now  clamoring 
loudly  to  be  led  to  the  assault,  but  he  had  hesitated 
to  give  the  order  until  he  became  convinced  that  the 
party  in  the  rear  were  not  strong  enough  to  overcome 
the  opposition  they  encountered.  For  two  full  hours 
he  had  been  battering  at  the  breastworks  with  cannon- 
balls,  and  apparently  without  producing  any  effect. 
The  command  which  he  at  last  gave  to  storm,  was 
received  with  shouts  and  acclamations. 

The  Thirty-ninth  United  States  Infantry  under 
Colonel  Williams  led  the  way.  They  were  well  sup- 
ported by  the  East  Tennessee  Brigade,  and  the  whole 
assailing  party  behaved  most  gallantly.  A  fierce 
struggle  was  maintained  for  a  short  time  through  the 
port-holes  muzzle%)  muzzle,  the  action  being  so  close 
at  times  that  General  Jackson  afterward  wrote  in  his 
despatch,  "  Many  of  the  enemy's  balls  were  welded  to 
the  American  bayonets." 


V^ES 

ning  of  the  fire 
y  wore  too  few 
ly  were  in  peril 

utmost  bravery 
hich  they  might 
Lmerican  troops, 
till  they  refused 
Bcessfully  resist- 
;he  Cherokees  to 

now  clamoring 
he  had  hesitated 
ivinced  that  the 
lUgh  to  overcome 
)r  two  full  hours 
irks  with  cannon- 
icing  any  effect. 
ie  to  storm,  was 
ons. 

Infantry  under 
ey  were  well  sup- 
ie,  and  the  whole 
iantly.  A  fierce 
time  through  the 
on  being  so  close 
vard  wrote  in  his 
Is  were  welded  to 


M.,ior  M.M.t..oiiu.rv  was  tlu'  first  1.,  >\'v\n-  ni.ni.  tli.  l.n.istw.M-ks  " 


,«iiiiiwUiltfji)Miw'>l*' 


nHiU     ill'lUm 


HORSE  SHOE  BEND 


320 


l^he  contest  weut  ou  for  several  minutes,  and  then 
Major  Montgomery  wivs  the  first  to  spring  npon  the 
IneLtworks,  but  he  was  shot  dead  among  las  eon. 
rades  who  were  rushing  forward  to  sustain  hnn.     A 
young  man  at  his  side,  San.  Houston  of  whom  ou 
Ls  in  Uvter  yean,  heard  again  after  ho  beeame  the 
Jt  president  of  the  llepubUe  of  Texas,  and  hvter  a 
,  member  of  Congress,  w.u.  severely  wounded  in  the 
thigh  by  a  UvrlK^d  arrow,  but  he  leaped  bold  y  down 
amongst  the  yelling  savages  and  ealled  upon  Ins  eom- 
panioL  to  follow  him.     At  the  fall  of  M*3or  M^j- 
gomery  a  smothered  ery  for  vengeance  had  rolled  all 
along  the  line,  and  the  example  of  young  Ensign 
Hoi^ton  had  so  stirred  them  that  the  whole  eolumn 
now  dashed  over  the  feeble  barrier  like  an  avalanche, 
crushing  and  bearing  down  everything  before  it. 

The  "  Red  Sticks  "  were  now  fighting  with  the  fury 
of  despair,  and  they  met  the  shock  of  the  new-comei. 
with  clubbed  muskete  and  rifles,  and  with  the  gleam- 
ing  knife  and  tomahawk ;  but  they  were  not  able  long  - 
to  withstand  the  dexterous  use  of  the  bayonet  and  in 
wild  confusion  began  to  flee  to  the  woods  and  thick- 
ete.    Some  few  attempted  to  escape  by  swimming  the 
river,  but  were  shot  down  in  their  flight  by  the  spies 
and  the  mounted  men  under  General  Coffee.    Mos 
of  them,  however,  fought  and  died  where  they  Btood 
-behind  the  ramparts,  which  they  were  unable  to 
defend. 


mo 


TKCUMSKirS  YOUNO    HRAVKS 


^;:  ■,. . 


I' 


The  conflict  nctw  turned  into  a  hutclitny,  and  was 
continued  for  lioui-s.  No  <»iu!  iisked  for  (juiuU'r. 
The  Talliipoosii  wiis  running,'  iimI  with  the  bh)o<l  df 
the  savages,  and  the  dead  were  piled  in  mangled 
heaps  upon  its  hanks.  The  Indians  liad  kten  told 
that  torture  awaited  those  who  were  niadc!  prisoner, 
and  so  not  one  would  suffer  himself  to  ho  taken  or 
ask  for  (juarter.  Some  tried  to  secrete  themselves 
in  thickets,  but  they  wei-e  driven  out  and  slain,  and 
a  considerable  number  sought  refuge  under  the  bluffs 
of  the  river  which  were  (!overed  by  a  i)art  of  the 
breastworks  and  the  fallen  trees. 

General  Jackson,  noticing  these  men,  sent  an  in- 
terpreter to  them  to  offer  terms  of  surrender.  The 
answer  they  gave  was  a  volley  that  sent  the  messenger 
back  with  several  severe  wounds  in  his  body. 

The  cannon  wius  now  brought  to  bear  on  their 
position  and  a  partially  successful  charge  was  made  ; 
yet  the  stubborn  Indians  were  not  dislodged.  Gen- 
eral Jackson  then  called  for  volunteei-s  to  storm  the 
place,  and  the  wounded  young  ensign,  Sam  Houston, 
was  the  first  to  respond  to  his  summons.  Wlule  he 
was  beyond  the  lines  trying  to  discover  the  position 
of  the  concealed  Indians,  he  received  two  buUete  in 
his  shoulder  and  was  borne  helpless  away.  Othera 
responded  now,  and  a  number  lost  their  lives  in  the 
attempt  to  dislodge  the  foe. 

Finally  the  brush  was  set  on  fire.      The   flames 


■A 


VK8 

U^limy,  and  \vm 
;ed  for  (luaiUn'. 
til  the  l)lo(nl  «)f 
lu<l  ill  uiatigk'd 
liiul  1kh!Ii  told 
nuidt!  prisonei's, 
to  1)0  liikeu  or 
retu  themHelves 
t  and  Hlain,  and 
under  the  bluffs 
r  a  i)art   of  the 

ncn, Hent  an  in- 
surreuder.  The 
it  the  messenger 
is  body. 

•  bear  on  their 
large  was  made ; 
lislodged.  Gen- 
Bi-s  to  storm  the 
1,  Sam  Houston, 
jns.  Willie  he 
iver  the  position 
d  two  bullets  in 
}  away.  Othei-s 
;heir  lives  in  the 

•e.      The  flames 


HOUSK  SIIOK  nicNi) 


a31 


spread  very  rapidly,  snapping  and  ciwkling  as  they 
caught  the  dry  bark  and  h-aves,  and  licking  up  evory- 
thing  in  their  way.  The  Indians  were  soon  forced 
from  their  concealment,  and  all  who  attempted  to  tlec 
or  ofl'cred  any  resistaiuje  were  shot  down. 

Darkness  at  last  put  an  end  to  the  caniage.   A  f(!W 
Indians  escaped,  but  of  the  thousand  who  went  uito 
the  battle  in  the  morning  not  more  than  two  hundred 
were  alive   now,  and   many   of  these   were   severely 
V  ounded.     There  were  tlu-ee  hundred  prisoner  taken, 
but  nearly  all  were  women  and  children.     The  exact 
loss  of  the  "  Red  Sticks  "  never  was  known,  as  the 
bodies   (jf   many  of    their    dead   were   thrown   into 
the  river  by  their  friends  previous  to  the  final  rout. 
Among  the  slain,  however,  were  three  prophets,  and 
one,  who  was  a  chief  »w  well,  named  Monohoe,  was 
struck  in  the  mouth  by  a  grape-shot,  and  although  he 
Uved  in  spite  of  his  wound  for  many  yeai-s  after,  he 
was   unable  to  incite   his   countrymen   to   revolt  or 

warfare  again. 

General  Jackson  had  lost  fifty-live  men  killed  and 
one  hundred  and  forty-^ix  wounded.  Twenty-three 
of  the  killed  and  forty-seven  of  the  wounded  were 
friendly  Creeks  and  Cherokees.  During  the  night 
General  Jackson's  followers  completed  the  work  of 
destruction,  and  in  the  morning  almost  nothing  but 
smouldering  ruins  remained  of  the  fortifications  at 
Tohopeka. 


'! 


l&(Wii»»iiin»">"i.«1illtii»t<Jr- 


r 


',*4»»-*M.    -^ 


7 


83S 


TECUMSEII'S  YOUNG   DUAVES 


Iinmodiutely  ho  iHigaii  his  icturn  iimn-li  towiinlH 
Fort  VVilliimis.  The  wounded  wuro  carried  on  littoi><, 
and  while  many  ot  the  dead  hud  received  huriid,  many 
more  had  liecui  sunk  Injueath  the  watei-s  of  tlie  CooHa, 
a8  the  only  method  of  keeping  them  safe  from  the 
desecration  of  Havago  hands. 

Five  h)ng  days  were  conHumed  in  tliis  return  march, 
and  although  they  encountered  many  of  the  hostile 
Indians  on  their  way,  they  always  fled  at  their  ap- 
proach. 'J'ho  spirit  of  the  "  Ked  Sticks  "  was  almost 
hroken,  and  few  had  any  heart  to  tiy  to  make  a  defen- 
sive stand  anywhere.  Terrihle  vengeance  had  l)een 
taken  for  the  nuissacre  at  Fort  Minis  and  the  other 
cruelties  that  the  Indians  had  perpetrated  since  the  war 
began. 

For  five  days  the  army  remained  at  Fort  Williams, 
and  during  this  time  our  boys  sought  in  vain  for  their 
young  Indian  friends, — Tecumseh's  young  bnives. 
They  liad  seen  nothing  of  them  in  the  engagement, 
and  were  unable  to  learn  whether  or  not  they  had 
rejoined  their  countrymen  in  this  desperate  stand. 
If  they  had,  there  was  little  likelihood  that  any  of  them 
were  alive  now ;  but  Tom  somehow  had  the  feeling  in 
his  heart  that  he  would  meet  them  again,  and  that 
they  would  give  no  bad  account  of  themselves. 

Many  of  the  hostile  Indians  now  made  their  way 
into  Florida,  so  careless  were  the  South  Carolina  men 
in  carrying  out  the  work  which  General  Jackson  had 


AVES 


HOltSi:  SIIOH   liKMI) 


I  nmrcli  towanlH 
carrii'd  on  littoi's, 
iveil  hiiriiil,  iniiny 
oiw  t)f  the  CooHii, 
in  Miifo  from  thu 

his  return  muroh, 
iiy  of  tho  hostili) 
flctl  at  thojr  ap- 
Ltks  "  was  alnioHt 
to  make  a  defen- 
jeaiice  had  Ixjcn 
18  and  tlie  other 
ted  since  the  war 

t  Fort  Williams, 
i  in  vain  for  their 
s  young  bnives. 
the  engagement, 
or  not  they  had 
lesperate  stand, 
that  any  of  them 
ad  the  feeling  in 
again,  and  that 
lemselves. 
made  their  way 
th  Carolina  men 
ral  Jackson  had 


intmstod  to  them,  and  wiio,  as  we  know,  were  on  tho 
Ml  bank  of  t!<<)  Tallapoosa  to  prevent  tho  escapo  of 
any  of  the  Creeks. 

McQueen,  one  of  the  most  prominent  chiefs  among 
tlie  Creeks,  was  captured,  and  soon  made  his  escapo 
to  the  Es(uunl)ia  river  with  live  hundred  of  his  fol- 
lowei-s  ;  but,  in  spite  of  all  this,  f  Jenenil  Jackson 
regarded  his  exiiedition  as  a  great  sticcess,  and  evi- 
dently looked  for  tho  end  of  the  struggle  soon  to 
come. 

While  Genoml  Jackson  was  at  Fort  Williams,  re- 
maining, as  we  know,  for  five  days,  reports  were  brought 
to  him  of  the  condition  of  the  Indians,  and  he  at  once 
made  prepamtions  for  aggressive  work,  and  deteiv 
mined  then  and  there  to  complete  the  work  not  yet 
quite  finished.  The  campaign  was  not  ended,  and 
our  boys  were  to  have  their  share  in  the  exciting 
experiences  of  the  next  few  days. 


^ 


f^ 


^.^.  .,.ii^j:-ii  ■   ""!•••   'Iff  I     •  I      '    inT'ii""'    -I"     ,"'  'i|T  "" 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


r- 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 


THE  SEARCH  FOR  NANCE 


AFTER  a  brief  delay  at  Fort  Williams,  General 
Jackson  pushed  on  to  what  ^vaa  known  as  the 
"Hickory  Ground."  His  march  was  through  the 
country,  flooded  now  by  the  spring  rains  and  swollen 
streams,  and  at  the  head  of  the  peninsula  where  the 
Coosa  and  Tallapoosa  joined,  on  the  site  of  a  fort 
which  a  hundred  years  before  this  time  had  been 
built  by  Governor  Bienville,  he  halted,  and  there 
erected  a  new  place  of  defence.  The  old  French 
entrance  was  cleaned  out  and  deepened,  and  on  this 
foundation  was  built  a  fort  which,  in  honor  of  the 
leader,  was  named  Fort  Jackson. 

Village  after  village  of  the  Indians  was  destroyed 
by  the  energetic  and  enraged  soldiers,  and  now  many 
a  band  of  the  humiliated  Creeks  made  their  way  to 
Fort  Jackson  to  sue  for  pardon  and  peace  for  them- 
selves and  their  broken  tribes. 

General  Jackson  received  all  these  deputations 
courteously,  but  with  much  sternness.  He  accepted 
the  offers  of  all,  naming  as  the  one  condition  that 


^N^ 


T\ 


lAVES 


THE  SEARCH  FOR   NANCE 


335 


LU 


:v 


NCE 


iVilliams,  General 
fiis  known  as  the 
was  through  the 
rains  and  swollen 
ninsula  where  the 
the  site  of  a  fort 
8  time  had  been 
halted,  and  there 
The  old  French 
)ened,  and  on  this 
,  in  honor  of  the 

ans  was  destroyed 
srs,  and  now  many- 
made  their  way  to 
d  peace  for  them- 

these  deputations 
ess.  He  accepted 
)ne  condition  that 


they  should  now  make  their  homes  above  Fort 
Williams,  in  what  was  known  as  the  "neutral 
ground."  There,  he  told  them,  they  would  be 
treated  with,  and  what  the  government  should  at 
last  demand  would  be  made  known;  but  to  every 
one  he  declared  the  one  condition  on  which  peace 
could  be  secured  was  that  the  noted  leader,  Weath- 
erford,  or  Red  Eagle,  or  Hoponika  Futsahia  (Truth- 
maker),  as  he  was  variously  known,  should  be 
captured  and  brought  to  Mm. 

The  Indians,  thoroughly  subdued  and  willing  now 
to  purchase  peace  at  almost  any  price,  complied  with 
his  demand,  and  the  search  for  Weatherford  began. 
But  that  haughty  cKvef  did  not  wait  to  be  taken  and 
dragged  as  a  crimiial  into  the  presence  of  his  con- 
queror, but,  learning  of  the  condition  which  General 
Jackson  had  named,  aware  now  that  every  hope  for 
his  nation  had  fled,  he  mounted  his  swift,  gray  horse, 
on  which  he  had  made  the  leap  from  that  high  bluff 
at  the  "  holy  ground,"  and  made  his  way  directly  to 
Jackson's  camp. 

The  sun  was  just  setting  as  he  made  his  approach, 
and  General  Jackson  happened  to  be  alone  in  his 
tent.  The  haughty  chief  entered,  and  drawing  him- 
self up  tx)  his  full  height  (six  feet  and  two  inches), 
folding  his  arms,  and  looking  calmly  at  his  conqueror, 
said,  "  I  am  Weatherford,  the  chief  who  commanded 
at  Fort  Mims.    I  have  nothing  to  request  for  myself. 


iijmi  jv  u  ■I^<1IJ^-J" 


i.iii'wiH>Hi  i[  ■  mt  »*'-■/ ri»i*g» 


336 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  BRAVES 


You  can  kill  me  if  you  desire.  I  have  come  to  beg 
you  to  send  for  the  women  and  cliildren  of  the  war 
party  who  are  now  starving  in  the  woods.  Their 
fields  and  crops  have  been  destroyed  by  your  people, 
who  have  driven  them  to  the  woods  without  an  ear 
of  corn.  I  hope  that  you  will  send  out  parties  who 
will  conduct  them  safely  here  in  order  that  they  may 
be  fed.  1  exerted  myself  in  vain  to  prevent  the 
mi^sacre  of  the  women  and  children  at  Fort  Mims. 
I  have  come  now  to  ask  peace  for  my  people,  but  not 

for  mjrself." 

General  Jackson  in  astonishment  looked  at  the 
brave  man,  and  felt  his  own  heart  grow  warm  within 
him  as  he  recognized  the  true  nobility  of  his  foe. 

"  How  dare  you  come  here  into  my  very  presence 
and  ask  for  peace  and  protection?"  at  last  the 
general  managed  to  say. 

"  I  am  in  your  power.  Do  with  me  as  you  please," 
replied  Weatherford  proudly.  "I  am  a  soldier.  I 
have  done  the  wliite  people  all  the  harm  I  could. 
I  have  fought  them,  and  fought  them  bravely ;  and  if 
I  liad  an  army  I  would  yet  fight  and  contend  to  the 
last;  but  I  have  none.  My  people  are  aU  gone.  I 
can  do  no  more  now  than  weep  over  the  misfortunes 
of  my  nation." 

Jackson  realized  that  there  was  something  of  the 
"hickory"  in  Weatherford  as  well  as  in  himself. 
Here  was  a  man  who  had  gone  into  wf>r  to  protect 


VES 

,ve  come  to  beg 

dren  of  the  war 

1  woods.     Their 

by  your  people, 

without  an  ear 

out  parties  who 

)r  that  they  may 

to  prevent  the 

I  at  Fort  Mims. 
'  people,  but  not 

t  looked  at  the 
row  warm  within 
y  of  his  foe. 
ny  very  presence 
?"    at    last    the 

le  as  you  please," 
am  a  soldier.  I 
le  harm  I  could, 
n  bravely ;  and  if 
d  contend  to  the 
are  all  gone.  I 
r  the  misfortunes 

something  of  the 

II  as  in  himself, 
to  wf^r  to  protect 


I 


,   ,„„  in  your  i.owrr      Do  uith  in.  as  >  on  l''^;'|J|;-;^,,^. 


'wS^'.,  ■fTS^rSi-i.k:^  f  •'"'■"-'-  f  rrif  - 1  iw^  liwffTwwi- 


THE  SEAKCII  FOR  NANCE 


337 


the  homes  of  his  people  from  the  invader,  and  who 
had  fought  with  all  his  cunning  and  strength  as  long 
as  hope  remained.  He  had  endeavored  to  he  merci- 
ful,  hut  often  his  efforts  had  heen  in  vain,  and  now 
he  stood  here  in  the  presence  of  his  conqueror,  fear- 
lessly expressing  his  opinions,  and  apparently  with 
little  regard  for  one  who  had  power  over  his  own 

Ufo. 

"  If  you  truly  desire  to  submit,"  said  the  general, 
♦'your  nation  must  make  its  home  beyond  the  Missis- 
sippi. That  is  the  only  wise  policy  for  you  to  pursue. 
If,  however,  you  desire  to  continue  the  war,  and  feel 
prepared  to  meet  the  consequences,  you  may  depart 
in  peace  and  unite  yourself  with  the  war  party,  if 

you  choose." 

Again  Weatherford  drew  himself  up  to  his  full 
height  and  his  eyes  flashed  half  in  scorn,  half  in 
anger,  as  he  replied,  "I  may  well  be  addressed  in 
such  language  now.     There  was  a  time  when  I  liad  a 
choice  and  could  have  answered  you ;  I  have  none 
now ;  nay,  even  hope  is  ended.     Once  I  could  ani- 
mate my  warriora  to  battle,  but  I  cannot  animate  the 
dead:   my  warriors  can  no  longer  hear  my  voice. 
Their  bones  are  at  Talladega,  Tallaschatche,  Emuc- 
fau,  Econochaca,  and  Tohopeka.      I  have  not  sur- 
rendered myself  thoughtlessly.      While  there  was  a 
chance  for  success  I  never  left  my  post  nor  supplicated 
peace.    But  my  people  are  gone,  and  now  I  ask  it  for 


3SS>**'  "-^w^  — 


388 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


my  nation,  not  for  myself.  On  the  miseries  and  mis- 
fortunes brought  upon  my  countiy  I  look  back  with 
deepest  sorrow,  and  wish  to  avert  still  greater  calami- 
ties. If  I  had  been  left  to  contend  with  the  Georgia 
army,  I  would  have  raised  my  corn  on  one  bank  of 
the  river  and  fought  them  on  the  other.  But  your 
people  have  destroyed  my  nation.  You  are  a  brave 
man ;  I  rely  upon  your  generosity.  You  will  exact 
no  terms  of  a  conquered  people  but  such  as  they 
should  agree  to.  Whatever  they  may  be,  it  would 
now  be  folly  and  madness  to  oppose.  If  they  are 
opposed,  you  will  fmd  me  among  the  sternest  enforcers 
of  obedience.  Those  who  would  still  hold  out  can 
be  influenced  only  by  a  mean  spirit  of  revenge,  and 
to  this  they  must  not  and  shall  not  sacrifice  the  last 
remnant  of  their  country.  You  have  told  our  nation 
where  we  might  go  and  be  safe.  This  is  good  talk, 
and  they  ought  to  listen  to  it.     They  shall  listen 

to  it." 

General  Jackson,  strong  as  he  was  and  unyielding 
in  his  efforts  to  crush  any  enemy,  was  deeply  moved 
by  these  brave  words  of  the  half-breed,  and  immedi- 
ately bade  Weatherford  go  to  the  forest  and  search 
for  his  scattered  followers  and  counsel  pearo. 

But  for  a  long  time  in  all  that  region  there  was  no 
peace  for  the  Creek  warrior.  The  people  whose 
relatives  had  been  massacred  at  Fort  Mims  were 
filled  with  thoughts  of  vengeance,  and  were  untiring 


31168  and  mis- 
lok  back  with 
reater  calami- 
h  the  Georgia 
I  one  bank  of 
jr.  But  your 
u  are  a  brave 
''ou  will  exact 
such  as  they 
r  be,  it  would 
.  If  they  are 
meat  enforcers 
hold  out  can 
revenge,  and 
3rifice  the  last 
old  our  nation 
J  is  good  talk, 
iy  shall  listen 

nd  unyielding 
deeply  moved 

I,  and  immedi- 

;st  and  search 

1  pearo. 

1  there  was  no 
people  whose 

rt  Mims  were 


were  untiring 


THE  SEAUCn  FOB  NANCE 


339 


in  their  efforts  to  find  and  punish  this  leader.  Con- 
sequently Weatherford  remained  away  until  the  war 
was  finished,  and  what  he  did  upon  liis  return  we 
shall  tell  in  another  chapter. 

On   the    twentieth    of    April    General  Pinckney 
arrived  at  Fort  Jackson  with  troops  from  North  and 
South  CaroUna.    The  defeat  of  the  Creeks  practically 
had  put  an  end  to  this  war,  and  the  new  general  at 
once  directed  the  West  Tennesseeans  to  go  home, 
and  said  he  would  leave  a  brigade  to  garrison  Fort 
Williams.    The  order  was  hailed  with   joy  by  the 
West  Tennesseeans,  and  within  two  hours  after  it 
had  been  received  they  had  started  up  the  Coosa. 
They  moved  rapidly,  and  crossing  the  Tennessee  river 
were  discharged  at  Fayetteville.    There  Old  Hickory 
gave  them  a  farewell  address,  and  left  them  for  his  own 
home,  which  was  on  a  large  farm  near  Nashville,  and 
called  the  "Hermitage." 

Tom  and  Jerry,  freed  now  from  the  restraints  and 
labor  of  the  camp  life,  started  at  once  for  Mobile,  m 
company  with  their  friend  Josiah.  It  had  been  long 
since  they  had  seen  any  of  their  family,  and  weeks 
had  passed  since  any  word  had  been  received  from 

them.      :.  , .       .    i.    •  vj. 

"  I'm  afraid  we  shall  not  find  everythmg  just  nght 

at  Mobile,"  said  Jerry. 

"  Oh,"  repUed  the  hunter,  » if  there  had  been  any 
trouble  there,  I  think  you  would  have  heard  long 


=K:;5= 


rTTr'Trrr-r •- 


340 


TECUMSEirS  YO'JMQ  BRAVES 


before  this.    Everybody  wivs  afraid  after  the  massacre 
at  Fort  Mims  that  the  Indians  would  start  for  Mobile 
at  once.    That's  just  what  the  Spaniards  wanted  them 
to  do,  and  the  British  were  behind  it  all.    If  they  ^ 
had  done  that,  there  wouldn't  have  been  anything 
left  of  the  town ;  but  instead  of  going  south  they 
went  north,  and  we  know  what  they've  been  up  to."  ' 
"Yes,"  said  Jeiry,   "but  Mobile  is  only  a  little 
village,  and  there's  not  a  building  there  that  isn't 
wooden.     They  haven't  anything  that's  much  good  to 
fight  with  against  artillery,  and  they  couldn't  make 
much  of  a  show  against  the  rifles  of   the  Indians. 
Why,  there  aren't  a  thousand  people  there  altogether." 
"That's  all  true  enough,"  said  Josiah,  "but  you 
forget  Fort  Bowyer  at  the  edge  of  the  bay." 

"No,  I  don't,"  replied  Jerry;  "but  that's  thirty 
miles  from  Mobile,  out  at  the  end  of  that  little  narrow 
sand  cape.  It  hasn't  over  twenty  guns  altogether, 
and  only  two  of  these  are  large.  If  the  British  and 
Spaniards,  to  say  nothing  of  the  Indians,  once  get  in- 
side of  that  there'll  be  no  hope  for  Mobile." 

"Still  they've  done  nothing  so  far,"  said  Josiah, 
"  and  we'll  go  so  fast  that  they  won't  have  time  to  do 
anytlung  before  we  get  there ;  and  now  that  this  war 
is  over,  you  can  take  them  all  and  start  for  home 
liefore  any  further  trouble  arises." 

Accordingly  our  party  of  three  made  their  way  as 
i-apidly  as  possible,  and  in  the  course  of  a  lew  days 


MtMimxMRtMl 


THE  SEARCH  FOR  NANCE 


341 


the  massacre 
irt  for  Mobile 

wanted  them 

all.  If  they 
leen  anything 
ig  south  they 
s  been  up  to." 

only  a  little 
ere  that  isn't 
much  good  to 
iouldn't  make 
;  the  Indians, 
re  altogether." 
iah,  "but  you 
bay." 

;  tlrnt's  thirty 
it  little  narrow- 
ins  altogether, 
le  British  and 
18,  once  get  in- 
die." 

"  said  Josiah, 
lave  time  to  do 
V  that  this  war 
itart  for  home 

le  their  way  as 
of  a  lew  daya 


arrived  at  Mobile.  They  at  once  went  to  the  house 
where  the  other  menilwrs  of  the  family  Imd  Iwen  left. 
They  were  surprised  when  they  entered  to  learn  that 
they  had  diangtid  their  (piartera,  and  wt'vo  now  to  be 
found  at  another  house  in  a  distant  pai-t  of  the  vil- 
lage. They  started  for  this  place,  and  in  response  to 
their  summons  a  man  opened  the  door  and  listened  to 
their  words. 

"  I've  come  for  my  motn.  r  and  the  children,"  said 
Tom.     "They  told  me  they  had  moved  here." 

"  Your  mother  and  the  children?"  said  the  man. 
"Why,  who  are  they?" 

"  Why,  you  know,  Mrs.  Curry  and  Nance  and  the 
cliildren."  ."' 

"  Mrs.  Curry,"  said  a  woman  in  a  sharp  voice,  who 
came  and  looked  over  the  shoulder  of  the  man.  "  Why, 
they've  been  gone  from  liere  more  than  two  weeks." 

"  Gone  !  "  said  the  boys  aghast.  "  What  do  you 
mean?     Gone  where?" 

"  I  mean  that  they've  gone,  that's  all  there  is  of  it," 
said  the  woman  shaiply.  "They  were  the  most 
unsociable  lot  of  folks  T  ever  saw.  They  wouldn't 
talk  much  with  me,  though  I  tried  to  be  neighborly 
and  sociable  too,  but  it  seems  to  me  that  the  more  I 
talked  the  less  they  said." 

"  But  surely  they  must  have  said  something  about 
where  they  were  going,"  said  Tom.  "  They  haven't 
left  the  village,  have  they?"    , 


841 


TECUMSEirS  YOUNG  DIUVES 


"  I  don't  kii.'W  ivnything  al)ont  it,"  Hixid  tlie  woman ; 
♦'  they've  gone,  und  tluit'H  all.  No,  lu)ld  on  a  minute," 
she  added  a  moment  later;  "I  iK^lieve  the  girl  did 
leave  ii  letter  which  she  Haid  sonio  one  would  call  for, 
and  mayl)e  you're  the  one  that  wanted  it." 

"  Yes,  I'm  the  one,"  said  Tom  quickly ;  -  let  me 

have  it." 

"  Well,  I'll  look  for  it,"  replied  the  woman,  "  thongli 
I  don't  just  ..'member  where  I  put  it." 

The  boys  wiited  impatiently  while  she  went  on  her 
search,  and  at  last  when  she  returned  she  said,  "  I 
can't  find  it.  I'm  sure  I  put  it  somewhere,  Vat  just 
as  likely  as  not  it  got  burned  up.  I  took  all  the  rub- 
bish out  of  the  room  where  they  were  and  set  lire  to 
;i,  and  it's  just  as  likely  as  not  that  letter  was  in 

tin;  mess." 

«  Oh,  but  look  again,"  said  Tom ;  "  we  must  have 

that  letter." 

"Well,  I'll  try,"  said  the  woman,  "but  I  know  1 
shan't  find  it."  And  her  words  proved  to  be  t  ue, 
and  the  boys  left  the  house  without  any  knowledge  of 
where  their  mother  wiis. 

"Well,  what  shall  we  do  now?"  asked  Tom,  as 
they  turned  and  went  slowly  down  the  street. 

"Why,  we'll  make  a  search  through  the  town," 
said  Josiah.    "We'll  find  them  all  right,  never  you 

fear." 

Accordingly  the  boys  began  their  search,  but  none 


il  the  woman ; 

on  a  inimittj," 

>  the  girl  did 

vould  call  for, 

t." 

kly;  "let  me 

man,  "  thougli 

10  went  on  her 
she  Haid,  "  I 
/here,  i  at  just 
ok  all  the  ruh- 
and  set  lire  to 
letter  wa8  in 

'  we  must  have 

'but  I  know  I 
ired  to  be  t  -ue, 
y  knowledge  of 


fwked  Tom,  as 
the  street, 
xgh  the  town," 
ight,  never  you 

earch,  but  none 


.  ..-.v-bj.  Jitruv'sBwasfctJ^^.aBi-'ait^'ifia 


V-?*- 


^>. 


^ 
^ 


V 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


1.0 


I.I 


l^|2^    12.5 

ijo  i"^™   niiiii^i 
1^  1^    11 2.2 

"i2.0 


1.8 


11-25  111.4   IIIIII.6 


V' 


HiotDgraphic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAtN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  M580 

(716)  872-4503 


l^^-^' 


<irA^ 


^^<sr.  ^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


ife-- 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


{ 


3 


THE  SEARCH  FOR  NANCE 


848 


of  the  officers  knew  anything  of  the  whereabouts  of 
the  missing  people,  and  finally  they  visited  street 
after  street  and  house  after  house ;  but  their  search 
was  unavailing,  and  as  night  came  on  the  boys  were 
not  merely  discouraged  but  sadly  perplexed. 

"  We'll  try  it  again  to-morrow,"  said  Josiah,  "  and 
we  shall  find  something,  I  know." 

The  boys  did  not  sleep  much  that  night,  for  they 
were  constantly  striving  to  find  some  solution  for  th^s 
perplexing  problem  ;  but  when  the  morning  came  the 
same  difficulties  still  faced  them,  and  they  were  as 
ignorant  as  on  the  night  before. 

"I'll  tell  you  what,"  said  the  hunter  suddenly, 
when  the  boys  had  finished  their  breakfast,  "I 
know  what's  become  of  them.  They've  gone  home. 
That's  where  they've  gone.  That's  just  like 
Nance.  She  probably  heard  that  the  war  was  over, 
and  thought  you  boys  would  put  straight  for  that 
place,  and  that's  where  she's  gone,  you  mark  my 

word." 

The  search  in  the  village,  wliich  was  again  resumed, 
proved  unavailing,  and  at  last  the  boys  resolved  to 
act  upon  the  hunter's  suggestion.  There  was  nothing 
else  for  them  to  do  now.  Their  home  was  far  away, 
and  yet  every  trace  of  the  presence  of  their  mother  at 
Mobile  had  been  lost. 

"They're   either  there  or  nowhere,"  said  Tom  at 
last ;  "  and  we  might  just  at  weU  try  that  clew  now  as 


344 


TECUMSEirS   YOUNG   BRAVES 


any  other,  and  in  fact  it's  the  only  one  we've  got,  and 
80  the  sooner  we  start  the  better." 

Their  preparations  were  soon  made  and  the  voyage 
up  the  Alabama  was  begun ;  but  the  boys  started  with 
heavier  hearts  than  they  had  had  on  aJiy  of  their  late 
expeditions,  or  in  any  of  the  exciting  experiences 
through  wliich  they  had  passed. 


ft,. 


ii^'i  -w?f» J^itfjft^' 


IVES 

le  we've  got,  and 

!  and  the  voyage 
boys  started  with 
any  of  their  late 
ting  experiences 


i 


CONCLUSION 


345 


CHAPTER    XXXV 


CONCLUSION 


THE  canoe  in  which  they  had  come  to  Mobile  they 
used  now  on  their  return.  The  boys  were  silent 
most  of  the  time,  and  their  hearts  were  filled  with 
forebodings.  The  strange  disappearance  of  their 
mother  and  the  children  they  could  not  explain,  and 
the  more  they  thought  about  it  the  more  perplexed 
they  became. 

There  was  one  thing  evident,  however,  and  that 
was  that  they  had  gone  from  Mobile,  but  under  whose 
care  they  had  no  means  of  knowing,  and  they  were 
not  hopeful  that  the  hunter's  words  would  prove  to 
be  true.  Still  there  was  nothing  left  for  them  to  do 
except  to  follow  his  advice,  and  they  began  their 
return  voyage  at  his  earnest  solicitation. 

They  steadily  kept  at  their  work,  as  they  had  little 
disposition  for  conversation,  and  were  eager  to  find 
out  whether  those  whom  they  were  seeking  were  at 
their  home  or  not.  Josiah  tried  to  cheer  them,  and 
frequently  recounted  the  exciting  events  of  the  past 
few  months ;  but  while  the  boys  listened  respectfully, 


^.,!^,.M..i\^.'JJ-.i'^MJSKMU-^  • 


r' 


346 


TECUMSEH'S   YOUNG   BRAVES 


their  thoughts  were  far  away,  and  they  seldom  made 
any  reply  to  the  kind-hearted  Imnter.  They  fully 
appreciated  all  that  he  had  done  for  them,  and  did 
not  wish  to  show  their  distrust  of  his  advice,  but  their 
hearts  were  heavy,  and  they  had  little  desire  to  enter 
with  him  into  a  review  of  their  own  deeds  and  ex- 
periences. 

The  hunter  was  eager  to  stop  at  Fort  Mims,  but  he 
quickly  gave  up  the  proposal  when  he  saw  how 
opposed  the  boys  were  to  making  a  stop  anywhere  on 
their  voyage.  For  two  days  they  kept  steadily  on  in 
their  course,  stopping  only  for  brief  intervals  and 
occiisional  rests  ;  and  even  when  night  came  they  slept 
but  a  few  hours,  and  then  resumed  their  work,  so 
eager  were  they  to  anive  at  the  end  of  their  voyage- 
But  at  last  the  sights  became  more  familiar,  and  they 
knew  that  they  were  approaching  their  old  home. 
Their  eagerness  and  silence  both  became  more  intense 
now;  and  even  the  hunter  was  still,  as  he  shared,  in  a 
measure,  in  the  feelings  of  his  young  companions. 

At  last  the  little  log  house  in  which  they  had  lived 
for  ten  years  came  in  sight.  It  was  a  beautiful  day, 
and  the  sun  was  shining  as  brightly  as  in  the  morning 
when  they  had  started  forth  on  the  rude  raft  they  had 
made.  Their  eyes  were  constantly  turned  towards 
the  familiar  place,  but  there  were  no  signs  of  life  ap- 
parent and  the  silence  was  unbroken. 

"  There's  nobody  there,"  said  Tom  gloomily.    "  We 


VES 

ey  seldom  made 
er.  They  fully 
r  them,  and  did 
advice,  but  their 
3  desire  to  enter 
II  deeds  and  ex- 

ort  Mims,  but  he 
3n  he  saw  how 
bop  anywhere  on 
it  steadily  on  in 
if  intervals  and 
t  came  they  slept 
i  their  work,  so 
of  their  voyage, 
imiliar,  and  they 
their  old  home. 
,me  more  intense 
is  he  shared,  in  a 

companions, 
h  they  had  lived 
a  beautiful  day, 
s  in  the  morning 
ide  raft  they  had 

turned  towards 
>  signs  of  life  ap- 

gloomily.    "  We 


CONCLUSION 


347 


might  better  have  stayed  at  Mobile  and  followed  up 
our  clews  there." 

"  We  did  follow  them  all  up,"  said  Jerry,  "  and 
we  didn't  have  anything  left  but  this  one  that  Josiah 

gave  us." 

"But  even  that's  failed,"  replied  Tom,  "  for  there's 

nobody  here,  you  see." 

"  Nobody  here  ! "  said  Jerry,  with  almost  a  shout. 
"  There's  somebody  out  by  the  corner  of  the  house 
now.     It's  Nance,  a«  I  live." 

And  dropping  Ids  paddle  for  a  moment  he  shouted 
as  loudly  as  he  was  able,  but  his  words  were  not  heard, 
and  the  figure  he  had  seen  disappeared,  and  their  fore- 
bodings returned  with  the  returning  silence  which 
seemed  more  intense  than  ever  before.  But  the  little 
canoe  was  sent  forward  more  rapidly  now,  and  in  a 
brief  time  they  approached  the  bank  and  started 
rapidly  for  the  house.  Before  they  had  arrived  at  the 
bank  the  figure  they  had  seen  again  appeared,  and  this 
time  none  of  them  had  any  difficulty  in  recognizing 

it  as  Nance. 

"  Hello,  Nance  1 "  shouted  Tom,  starting  on  a  run 
as  soon  as  he  had  leaped  ashore. 

His  sister,  for  indeed  it  was  she,  startled  at  the  call 
and  the  sound  of  the  famiUar  voice,  screamed  and 
started  towards  the  young  men.  Brave  as  she  was, 
she  could  not  control  her  feelings,  and  indeed  there 
were  traces  of  a  strange  moisture  in  the  eyes  of  both 


I 


i. 


1   ^ 


I 


i 


nm  I  Hill  ■  ,■■  I  jj  ."ig^iN^iLgt 


M 


348 


TECUMSEirS   YOUNCJ   IJKAVKS 


1 

I    I 


the  boys.  Even  Iluiitor  Josh  was  deeply  touched, 
and  apparently  fastened  his  attention  ui)on  the  ciw^s 
which  were  flying  across  the  river  and  uttering  tlic 
same  hoarse  notes  they  had  given  when  the  party 
fu-st  set  sail  so  many  montLs  before. 

The  children,  hearing  tlie  uproar,  soon  came  forth 
from  the  house,  and  clinging  to  their  brothera'  knees 
added  their  words  of  welcome.  The  little  group"  at 
once  entered  and  found  Mrs.  Curry  just  coming  to 
the  door  to  meet  them.  The  welcome  the  boys  re- 
ceived was  a  wai-m  one,  and  yet  they  had  scarcely 
seated  themselves  at  the  table  to  eat  the  food  which 
Nance  speedily  prepared  for  them,  before  their  mother 
began  again  in  the  familia'r'L.  ain  to  which  the  boys 
had  become  accustomed  since  their  father's  death. 

"  I  don't  think  you  did  right  at  all,"  she  said. 
"Why,  you've  been  gone  for  montlis  now  and  left 
Nance  and  the  children,  to  say  nothing  of  me,  in  that 
old  town  of  Mobile  ;  and  such  a  time  as  we've  had !  I 
don't  think  you  ought  to  have  gone  at  all." 

"  But,  mother,"  said  Tom,  "  it  isn't  very  likely  we 
should  be  here  to-day  if  we  hadn't  taken  our  share  in 
this  war.  Somebody  had  to  go,  and  there  was  no 
reason  why  we  shouldn't  go  as  well  as  the  others." 

"  Oh,  yes,  there  was,"  said  his  mother.  "  I'm  always 
the  one  that's  left.  I  don't  believe  any  one  in  the 
world  ever  had  such  a  lonesome  time  as  I've  had. 
Your  father  would  come  away  off  into  this  forsaken 


i«^'»<.i'L'l 


lAVKS 

I  deeply  toucluul, 
ti  upon  the  Croix's 

niid  uttering  the 
I  when  the  party 
re. 

soon  came  forth 
lir  brothers'  knees 
le  little  group"  at 
y  just  coming  to 
ome  the  boys  re- 
;hey  had  scarcely 
at  the  food  which 
jfore  their  mother 
o  which  the  boys 
r  father's  death, 
at  all,"  she  said. 
tlis  now  and  left 
ing  of  me,  in  that 
e  as  we've  had !  I 
at  all." 

a't  very  likely  we 
3,ken  our  share  in 
id  there  was  no 
ill  as  the  others." 
;her.  "I'm always 
e  any  one  in  the 
time  as  I've  had. 
nto  this  forsaken 


[ 


CONCLUSION 


349 


country,  and,  of  coume,  I  couldn't  leave  him  to  come 
alone  ;  and  then  he  wius  so  fond  of  '  Tom  and  Jerry.' " 
"  Hush,  mother,"  said  Jerry.  "  Of  course  ho  wius 
fond  of  us,  for  I  know  you  must  mean  us  boys. 
Father's  gone,  and  we  don't  want  to  say  anything 
against  him.     Poor  man,  he  had  the  worst  of  it." 

'  I  suppose  so,"  replied  his  mother,  "  I  suppose  so, 
but  nobody  knows  how  hard  it's  been  for  me  to  be  left 
with  no  one  but  boys  to  protect  me,  and  then  have 
them  run  off  and  fight  the  Indians,  and  leave  me  with 
the  children  so  long  alone.  I  never  saw  any  harm  in 
the  Indians." 

"  I've  seen  some  one  you  know,"  said  Nance,  break- 
ing in.     "  Some  of  your  '     nds." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ( "  asked  Tom  quickly. 
"  Why,  some  of  your  Indian  friends,"  said  Nance. 
"I  don't  know  how  we  ever  should  have  got  here  if 
it  hadn't  been  for  them." 

"  What !  Tecumseh's  young  braves  ?  "  said  Jerry. 
"Yes,"  replied  Nance,  "and  they've  been  good 
friends  to  us,  too.  You  see,  the  way  of  it  was  this : 
we  heard  at  Mobile  that  the  fight  with  the  Creeks  was 
over,  and  lots  of  the  people  there  began  to  start  for 
home.  Well,  we  wanted  to  go  to:,  aud  when  we 
found  a  party  coming  right  up  this  -m\  we  made  ar- 
rangements for  them  to  bring  us,  just  as  I  told  you 
in  that  letter  I  left." 

«  That  letter  you  left?  "  said  Tom.    "  We  couldn't 


??fiSegj^w«wagvig^ 


ql 


• 


350 


t» 


TKCUMSEII'S   VOUNG   IIUAVES 


:i 


find  it  iinywhere.  The  woiuan  in  whoso  liouse  yon 
were  stayiii},'  Heiirehed  for  it  high  iiud  low,  but  she 
couldn't  liud  it,  and  we  hadn't  the  reniotost  idea  what 
had  beconu!  of  you,  or  where  you  were." 

"Is  that  so?"  iusked  Nance,  in  lustoniHlunent. 
"  Why,  I  don't  see  how  you  ever  thought  of  coming 
back  hero  for  us,  then." 

"Way,  they  tried  everything  else,"  said  Josiah, 
"  and  iw  tliey  didn't  find  you  there,  they  knew  this 
was  the  oidy  place  where  you  could  lie,  so  I  peravxaded 
them  to  start  for  home,  and  said  they  would  find  you 
here.  And  you  see  I'm  right,"  he  added,  turning  to 
the  boys.  "  But  what  about  these  young  redskins  ? 
They  were  traitors,  I  know." 

"  They  were  no  traitors,"  said  Nance  indignantly  ; 
"  but  when  they  found  us  in  that  party,  — for  we  met 
them  coming  down  the  river,  —  they  insisted  upon 
taking  us  home  themselves,  and  they've  been  a  great 
help  to  us  too." 

"  Yes,  the  Indians  are  all  good,  as  far  as  I  can  see," 
said  Mrs.  Curry.  "  I  never  have  believed  any  of  the 
time  in  having  this  war,  and  if  it  hadn't  been  for  the 
white  men  probably  there  wouldn't  have  been  any." 

"  Probably  not,"  said  Josiah  dryly. 

"  But  come,  boys,  I  want  you  to  see  what  I've  been 
doing,"  said  Nance.  "  You  see  we've  been  home  ten 
days  now,  and  I  found  the  old  horse  and  the  cow 
here,  too.    They  were  both  pretty  shy  at  fust,  but 


A==, 


J 


-^  __-    •- 


• 


BKAVE8 

II  whoso  liouse  you 
li  1111(1  low,  hut  she 
I  reinoU'st  iduu  what 
weru." 

i,    iu   iwtonishiuent. 
thought  of  coming 

else,"  said  Josiah, 
jre,  they  knew  this 
tl  l)e,  so  I  pei-suaded 
hey  would  find  you 
le  added,  turning  to 
ie  young  redskins? 

Nance  indignantly ; 
party,  — for  we  met 
they  insisted  upon 
hey've  been  a  great 

is  far  as  I  can  see," 
believed  any  of  the 
hadn't  been  for  the 
't  have  been  any." 

see  what  I've  been 
e've  been  home  ten 
horse  and  the  cow 
y  shy  at  first,  but 


CONCLUSION 


3.")  I 


I've  niauagod  to  tame  tlioin  so  Uu-y'll  follow  nte  now, 
and  you'll  liud  them  l)otli  in  the  barn." 

"  You  didn't  see  anything  of  the  chickens  or  the 
pig,  did  y()U?"  asked  .b^rry. 

"  1  didn't  see  anything  of  the  chiiikens,"  said  Nance, 
"but  I  wius  (mt  in  the  woods  one  day,  and  I  heard  a 
noise,  and  looked  up  and  there  wsus  our  old  grunter. 
lie  eyed  me  for  a  time  as  if  he  half  rememl)cred  some- 
thing about  me,  but  when  I  moved  he  started  oil  for 
the  forest,  and  I've  not  seen  or  heard  anything  of  him 
since.  But  come  out  here,  I  want  to  show  you  what 
I've  done." 

The  bnive  girl  led  the  way  to  the  clearing  and 
showed  her  brothers  what  she  had  done  in  the  way  of 
ploughing  and  planting,  alone  and  unaided. 

"  You're  a  great  girl,  Nance,"  said  Tom  proudly. 
"  I  think  Old  Hickory  would  have  been  glad  to  have 
had  you  in  his  amiy." 

"Yes,  I  presume  he  would,"  said  Mi-s.  Curry.  " I 
haven't  any  doubt  that  he  wasn't  satisfied  with  hav- 
ing only  the  men,  but  that  he  would  take  the  women 
and  the  children  too  if  he  could.  All  he  wanted 
was  to  kill  off  these  poor  Indians  and  make  a  name 
for  himself.  I  know  all  about  such  men,  and  I  don't 
feel  very  well  about  your  leaving  me  all  alone  through 
these  months,  and  not  knowing  what  was  going  to 
happen  to  us  any  minute." 

"I'll  tell  the  general  the  next  time  I  see  him,'' 


1  II 


352  TKflJMSKII'S   YOUNO   DRAVKH 

sai.l  tlK'  ImiiUT  .Iryly.    "  I've  no  doubt  l.e'U  feel  very 
much  put  out  whuu  ho  liciii-s  tibotit  it." 

lint  iH'ihiipH  Josiah  .lid  uot  luivo  pationco  enough 
with  this  woman  who  had  soon  so  unu-h  of  the  hai-«her 
side  of  pioneer  lifo  that  hor  spirit  was  ahnost  broken, 
and  she  had  fallen  into  this  way  of  eomphiining  about 
everything  pertaining  to  her  lot  in  life. 

The   lH)ys  at  one.!  rt^smncd   their  work  ui)on   the 
pla.!e,  and  so.)n  a  stranger  would  never  have  known 
from  it>*  appearance  that  it  ever  had  l)een  neglected 
or  abandoned  for  so  long  a  time.     On  the  second  day 
after  their  return  they  were  surprised  as  they  sat  at 
the  table  in  the  morning  by  the  entrance  of  Tecum- 
seh's    young    braves.     They    came    into    the    room 
silently,  and  for  half  an  hour  uttered  no  word;  but 
when  the  boys  went  out  to  the  barn  the  Indians  fol- 
lowed them,  and  there  Captain  Jim  told  his  friend  of 
their  experiences. 

When  Jackson's  army  had  started  for  Horse  Shoo 
Bend  the  young  braves  at  first  had  thought  to  go 
with  him,  but  soon  their  remembrance  of  their  former 
friends,  and  the  fact  that  they  were  on  an  expedition 
against  the  people  of  their  own  blood,  had  so  moved 
them  that  quietly  they  had  left  the  army  and  taken 
no  part  in  the  struggle.  They  were  convinced  that 
the  end  was  not  in  doubt,  and  while  they  knew  that 
defeat  awaited  their  own  nation  they  cottld  not  bring 
themselves  to  take  part  in  accomplishing  it.    But 


•mr^ 


VKS 

)t  liu'U  feel  very 

[Kitienco  enough 
•h  of  the  liaitthor 
s  almost  broken, 
mplainiiig  about 

work  ui)on  the 
ver  have  known 
[  iKjen  neglecited 
1  th(!  second  day 
>d  as  they  sat  at 
ranue  of  Tecuni- 
into  the  room 
)d  no  word;  but 
I  the  Indians  fol- 
told  his  friend  of 

il  for  Horse  Shoo 
id  thought  to  go 
ce  of  their  former 
on  an  expedition 
od,  had  80  moved 
3  army  and  taken 
re  convinced  that 
le  they  knew  that 
y  cottld  not  bring 
plishing   it.     But 


CONCLUHION 


858 


(^iptain  Jim  assure.l  the  boys  of  their  strong  personal 
fri.^ndship  lor  them,  and  in  his  grai.hie  way  toUl  of 
the  feeling  they  still  liad. 

^'Our  hearts  cling  to  youi^,"  said  Captain  .Inn, 
-as  the  moss  to  the  trees  by  the  river.  The  white 
men  have  strong  hearts  like  hickory,  -  they  iHUid.but 
are  never  broken.  The  white  man's  hand  luw  l)een 
heavy  on  my  people,  and  the  Red  Sticks'  homo  is  no 
more ;  but  Tecumseh's  young  braves  have  not  for- 
gotten the  kindness  of  the  white  people  who  dwell  in. 
the  hut  by  the  river." 

Fre(iuently  the  young  braves  visited  the  home, 
apparently  unmindful  of  Jackson's  decree;  but  m 
they  were  never  molested,  their  visits  either  were 
unknown,  or  passed  over  without  notice  by  the  men 

in  authority. 

Weatherford  remained  in  hiding  till  the  close  ol 
the  War  of  1812,  and  then  returning  settled  upon  a 
rich  farm  in  Alabama.    He  was  well  supplied  with 
negro  slaves,  and  soon  gained  a  positionof  prommence 
and  influence  in  all  that  region.     The  feelings  aroused 
by  the  struggle  became  cooler,  and  almost  all  came 
to  recognize  in  the  great  half-breed  th^'  qualities  of  a 
noble  and  true  man.    Not  long  after  his  return  he 
married  (it  was  his  third  venture  in  this  line),  and 
Sam  Dale,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  was  his  best  man 
at  the  wedding.     Weatherford  said  that  although  he 
was  bom  on  the   Hickoi-y  firound  he  could  not  live 


'^mmmiiiimm\M 


■atartflJarg^^SH'ftteaafciP '  '-'-> 


M 


354 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


there.  His  old  companions,  the  Creeks,  did  not  for- 
get their  feelings  towards  him  so  easily,  and  while 
tliey  had  followed  him  bravely  when  he  was  their 
leader,  they  regarded  the  change  in  his  life  as  wrong, 
and  so,  as  Weatherford  himself  said,  "  I've  come  to 
live  among  gentlemen."  His  own  nation  had  thrown 
him  out.  He  became  a  successful  business  man,  but 
never  lost  his  love  for  the  woods. 

In  1826  he  engaged  with  others  in  a  bear  hunt,  but 
the  perils  find  exertions  proved  to  he  too  much  for 
his  weakened  frame,  and  he  died  from  the  effects  of 
the  fatigue  of  that  hunt. 

Sam  Dale  entered  more  fully  into  the  struggle, 
and  before  the  war  was  ended  received  the  commis- 
sion of  brevet  brigadier-general.  When  the  war 
closed  he  settled  at  Dale's  Ferry  on  the  Alabama 
river,  and  engaged  in  business.  He,  too,  was  suc- 
cessful, and  came  to  occupy  many  responsible  posi- 
tions which  his  friends  thrust  upon  him.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  convention  that  was  called  to  divide 
the  Mississippi  Territory,  and  wJts  also  a  delegate  to 
the  first  general  assembly  of  the  Territory  of  Alabama, 
which,  as  we  know,  before  that  time  was  the  eastern 
portion  of  Mississippi.  He  served  several  terms  in 
the  Legislature  of  Alabama,  and  was  on  the  committee 
appointed  to  escort  Lafayette  when  he  visited  the 
capital  of  the  State.  He  was  engaged  much  in 
public  life,  and  when  he  died,  on  the  twenty-fourth 


[  iiJHwrni 


■WMMM 


««^' 


LVE8 

eks,  did  not  for- 
liisily,  and  while 
en  he  was  their 
lis  life  as  wrong, 
I,  "I've  come  to 
ttion  had  thrown 
osiness  man,  but 

a  bear  hunt,  but 
be  too  much  for 
ora  the  effects  of 

ito  the  struggle, 
ved  the  commis- 
When  the  war 
on  the  Alabama 
[e,  too,  was  suc- 
responsible  posi- 
him.  He  was  a 
called  to  divide 
ilso  a  delegate  to 
itory  of  Alabama, 
!  was  the  eastern 
several  terms  in 
on  the  committee 
11  he  visited  the 
igaged  much  in 
he  twenty-fourth 


CONCLUSION 


355 


day  of  May,  1841,  he  was  in  the  seventieth  year  of 
his  age.  His  struggle  with  the  Indians  in  the  canoe, 
which  wo  have  related  in  this  book,  was  by  many 
regarded,  however,  as  the  great  deed  of  his  life,  and 
for  many  years  it  was  a  familiar  story  by  the  lire- 
sides,  and  found  ite  way  into  the  songs  that  were 
popular  along  the  border. 

General  Jackson,  at  the  close  of  the  Creek  war, 
returned,  as  we  already  know,  to  the  "Hermitage," 
his  home  near  Nashville.     When  General   Harrison 
resigned.   President   Madison   nominated    him   as   a 
brigadier-general    and    a    major-general    by    brevet. 
General   Hampton,  whose  inefficiency   we  have  al- 
ready recorded  in  the  "Boy  Offieera  of  1812,"  left 
the  army,  and  Andrew  Jackson  was  appointed  a  full 
major-general  in  his  place.     He  received  both  com- 
missions at  the  same  time,  but  we  may  be  sure  that 
the  latter  was  the  one  he  accepted. 

In  the  summer  of  1814  General  Jackson  was 
ordered  to  take  command  of  the  Seventh  Military 
DLstrict,  and  established  liis  headquarters  at  Mobile. 
The  most  stirring  scenes  in  his  Ufe  followed,  and  of 
these  we  shall  have  something  to  say  in  another 

book. 

As  for  Tom  and  Jeriy  Curry  they  were  not  allowed 
to  remain  home  long,  and  they,  too,  had  a  share  in 
the  exciting  events  that  soon  took  place  not  far 
away ;  and   Josiah  Fletcher,  making  frequent  visits 


356 


TECUMSEH'S  YOUNG  BRAVES 


as  he  did  at  their  home,  so  caught  the  spirit  of  the 
war  and  of  the  boys,  that  again  he  went  with  his 
young  friends  and  shared  in  many  of  their  experi- 
ences. , 
'  As  for  Tecumseh's  young  braves,  they  had  no 
scruples  in  taking  part  in  the  struggle  against  the 
British  and  the  Spaniards,  and  of  their  experiences 
also  we  shall  have  more  to  say.  In  the  course  of  time 
these  young  men  of  whom  we  have  told  in  this  story, 
in  a  strange  manner  met  some  of  our  heroes  Vt^hose 
deeds  we  have  recorded  in  the  other  books  of  this 
series,  but  of  that  meeting  we  cannot  here  write. 

The  War  of  1 812  was  not  ended  with  the  close  of 
the  Creek  rebellion,  and  many  stirring  deeds  were 
yet  to  be  done.  Of  those  deeds,  and  of  the  part 
some  of  our  young  acquaintances  took  in  them,  we 
shall  tell  in  the  next  book  of  this  series,  which  will 
be  called  — 


The  Boys  of  the  Lakes. 


VE9 

he  spirit  of  the 

went  with  his 

of  their  experi- 

I,  they  had  no 
gle  against  the 
leir  experiences 
B  course  of  time 
Id  in  this  story, 
r  heroes  w^hose 
r  books  of  this 
>t  here  write, 
ith  the  close  of 
ing  deeds  were 
ind  of  the  part 
ok  in  them,  we 
sries,  which  will 


:e8. 


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fovs>  IHend  and  his  pleasant  bo6ks  will  continue  to  be  read  by  thousands  of 
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B.   Bivouac  and  Battle;  or.  The  Strugc.les  of  a  Soldier. 

«.  Sea  and  Shore;  or.  The  Tramps  of  a  1  raveli.ek. 

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In    six 
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il  farringiora,  me  nero  01  inu^c  i., ....■>,.;.,  ...^ ■■■-  ..-...-- 

heroes,  a  young  man  of  hiirh  spirit,  and  of  high  aims  an<    correct  nnnciples, 

nie  in  tlie  differeni  olumcs  as  a  farmer,  a  captain,  a  bookkceoer,  a 
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appeari 

soldier,  a  sailor,  ana  a  ira.i  uer.     in  ui.  w'  y'^"\  y^-   •.'"'"  .V""-'  W"'    „ 

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The  Lake  Sliore  Series.    By  Oliver  Optic.    In  six  voUimes. 
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a.  T^Ishtnlng  Express;  or,  The  Rival  Academies. 

3    On  Time;  or,  The  Young  Captain  of  the  Ucayga  Steamer. 

4.  Switch  Off;  OR,  The  War  of  the  Students. 

B.  Brake  Up;  or.  The  Young  Peacemakers. 

S:  Bear  anrfForbear;  or.  The  Young  Skipper  of  Lake  Ucayoa. 

"  Oliver  Oitic  is  one  of  the  most  fascinating  writers  for  youth,  and  with^ 
one  of  the  best  to  be  found  in  this  or  any  past  «ge.  I  mops  of  younj,^  people 
hangoverhis  vivid  pages ;  and  not  one  of  them  ever  learned  to  be  mean,  ignoble, 
cowardlylselfish,  or  to^  yield  to  any  vice  from  anything  they  ever  read  frcin  hn. 
pen."  —  Providence  Press. 

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1  I 


-  t-T»,w,">y-:'j  '^'  •  *  ="t*, ' 


OLIVER  OPTIC'S  BOOKS 


1    TH«  Soldier  Boy;  or,  Tom  Somers  in  the  Army. 

a.  Hrlve  Old  Salt;  o«,  Life  on  the  Quautek  Uisck. 

"This  scries  of  six  volumes  recounts  the  »<lventurcs.nf  two  brothers  To^^^ 

„„dTack  Sopers.onc  in  the  "^^.^Ij^  "'"."[[.'^^ 'roUr^'f'   h  'hrSScJs''a;e'thrill. 
The  romant  c  narratives  of  the  lortuncs  aim  txpiou^  .■■  >  events  of 

«     All  A<irlft-  OR   The  GoLDWiNG Club. 

2*  SnuK  Harbor;' OR.  The  Champlmn  Mechanics 

8.  SquSre  ami  Compasses;  or.  BviLmNO  the  House. 

4    Stem  to  Stern;  or,  Buildino  the  Boat. 

6    All  Taut;  or,  Uigoing  the  Boat. 

ft    Readv  About;  or,  Sailing  the  Boat. 

boat  pay.    A  g™'''    '^f  .^"\f;"  i.  ?er J^  "g  story  is  inter^voven  with  the  infor- 
Serles,  and  in -ach  bcmk  a  vtry  inter^^^^^^  y  ^^^  ^^,_.^   of  'All 

«     YounK  Voyagers.  »• 

Christmas  Gift.  ^^• 

Dolly  and  I.  fV* 

Vntde  Ben.  "• 

_.    Birthday  Party.  i-*-  -.  , 

J   |S"^"°o'SS'i.  •■    !..«.».■  0,..o..Jr 

mnru  lAse  Library.    By  Oliver  Optic.    Six  volume..    Illu«- 

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3. 
4. 
S. 
6. 


Careless  Kate. 
Boblnson  Crusoe,  Jr. 
The  Picnic  Party. 
The  Gold  Thimble. 
The  Do-Somethlngs. 


i.aiuitniiuimwii»n.'i>- "'  I.  ^M'j*  Jj.'.'.f u  ^iirrtBjiaiMilfciUJgiftawtMMti^ 


ic.     Six  vr.iumes. 
Price  per  volume, 

RMY. 

AN  Ahmy  Ofpicer. 
,'AVV  Okficek. 
K  Ofhicek. 

)ECK. 

of  two  brothers,  Tom 
ill  thu  (jri-.il Civil  War. 
the  hrothcrs  are  thrill- 
of  the  ({rent  events  of 
y  a  library  of  entcrtaiii- 
•  for  young  people  ever 

In  six  volumes. 
Price  per  volume, 


[CS. 
HOUSB. 


mle  art  of  boat  building, 
ike  the  ownership  of^a 
in  this  Boat  Bulldern 
ter^voven  with  the  infor- 
Dory,  the  hero  of  '  All 
sequent  volumes  of  the 
im,  and  every  boy  who 
s  friend." 

PTic.    Twelve  vol- 
Price  :    cloth,  per 
per  set,  $2.00. 
d  and  Lazy. 
less  Kate, 
nson  Crusoe,  Jr. 
Picnic  Party. 
Gold  Thimble. 
Do-Somethlngg. 

'TIC.     Six  volumes. 
;»rice  per  volume,  30 

}M  Kate, 
and  I. 
kBon  Crusoe,  Jr. 

Six  volumes.  Illus- 
ice    per   volume,  30 

tmas  Gift. 
)  Ben', 
iday  Party. 

n  who  are  unable  to  com- 
Navy  Series.  But  they 
ting  the  little  folks.  They 
inculcating  good  lesaoni. 


CATALDBUE  FBFF. 


^^^-...^iWWWP'W.^W^W^ 


mm>mmmi^   ,iiilii-»jii  iiffptgw 


ii^i  1,1111^11. ^^i|iii  III  III 


LEE  AND  SHEPARDS  ILLUSTRATED   JUVENILES 


» 


J.  T.  TROWBRTDGE'S  BOOKS 


THE  START  IN  LIFE  SERIES.    4  volumes. 


Bjr 


A  Start  in  Life:  A  Story  of  the  Genkskk  Country 
J.  T.  Trowbridge.     Ulustraleil.     $1.00. 

In  this  story  the  author  recounts  the  hardships  of  a  V"unL'  la.l  in  his  first 
endeavor  to  start  out  for  himself.  It  is  a  tale  t^ial  is  full  of  enthusiasm  and 
budd  ng  h  pes.  The  writer  shows  how  hard  the  youths  of  a  century  ago  were 
compeired  to  work.  This  he  does  in  an  eiiterta  iimK  wav,  uiiMtrliiie  fun  and 
adveiitures  with  their  daily  labors.  The  hero  is  a  striking  example  of  the 
honest  boy,  who  is  not  too^Iazy  to  work,  nor  too  dull  to  thoroughly  appreciate 
a  joke. 

Biding  His  Time.    ByJ.  T.  Trowdridge.    Illustrated.    $1.00. 

"  It  is  full  of  spirit  and  .idventurc,  and  presents  a  plucky  hero  who  was  willing 
to  'bide  his  tiiile,'  MO  matter  how' great  the  ex peclatious  that  he  ■■«l«ll?edm 
from  his  uncle's  vast  wealth,  which  he  did  not  iii  the  least  covet.  .  .  .  lie  was 
eft  a  poor  orphan  in  Ohio  at  seventeen  years  of  af.n;,  and  soon  after  heard  of  a 
rich  uncle  wL  lived  near  Boston.  He  sets  olV  on  the  Inni;  journey  to  Boston, 
fi^ds  his  uncle"  an  eccentric  old  man,  is  hospitublv  received  by  him,  but  seeks 
employment  in  a  humble  wav,  and  proves  that  he  is  a  persevering  and  plucky 
young  man."  —  Boston  Home  Journal. 


Tlie  Kelp  Gatherers:  A  Story  of  the  Maine  Coast. 
J.  T.  Trowbridge.    Illustrated.    $1.00 


Bjr 


This  book  is  full  of  interesting  information  upon  the  l?'-\"t  life  of  the  sea- 
shore and  the  life  of  marine  animals;  but  it  is  also  a  bright  and  readable 
story  w"th  all  the  hints  of  character  and  the  vicissitudes  of  human  life,  in 
depicting  which  the  author  is  an  acknowledged  master. 

The    Scarlet    Tanager,    and    Other   Bipeds.     By  J.    T. 
Trowbridge.     Illustrated.     $100. 

Every  new  story  which  Mr.  Tkowbkidoe  begins  is  followed  through  succes. 
sive  chapters  by  thousands  who  have  read  and  re-read  manv  times  h.s  pic-'ed  ng 
toles  6neof  liis  greatest  charms  is  his  absolute  truthtu^ness.  •!«  J»;^.s  »ot 
depict  little  saints,  or  incorrigible  rasca\s,  '..ut  just  Aoc*.  This  siime  fidelity  to 
nature  s  seen  in  his  latest  Sook,  "  The  Scarlet  Tanager,  and  Other  Bipeds." 
There  is  enoCgh  adventure  in  this  tale  to  commend  it  to  the  liveliest  reader, 
and  all  the  lessons  it  teaches  are  wholesome. 

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] 


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J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE'S  BOOKS 


THE  Sni-VEU  MKIJAL  STOIIIKS.    0  vnliiinrn. 


By  J.   T.   Trow- 


Tlie  Sliver  Modal,  and  Other  Stories. 
uuiDiie.     Illustrated.     $i.25- 
Tlicre  were  some  sclicxilhoys  who  liail  tiirncil  linuscbre.ikcrs,  nnd  ninnn^  their 

fliimlerwiis  a  silver  niudal  Ihal  liail  liceii  niveii  li>  one  Jdhii  llarrisnn  by  the 
iuinaiie  Siiciity  lor  rescuirn;  troTii  drowniin;  a  certain  lliiiton  liarry.  Now 
Uentoii  Harry  was  one  of  the  wretihfd  hmisehreakers.  'I'his  is  the  summary 
of  the  opening  chapter.  The  story  is  intensely  interesting  in  its  serious  as 
well  us  its  humorous  parts. 

11  is  Own  Master.     ByJ.  T.  Trowiiridoe.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

"  This  is  a  book  after  the  typical  boy's  own  heart.  Its  hero  is  a  plucky  younj; 
fellow,  who,  seeing  no  chance  Cor  hiniseltat  home,  determines  to  make  Ins  own 
way  in  the  world.  .  .  .  He  sets  out  accordinnly,  tru<lt,'es  to  the  far  West,  and 
(inils  the  road  to  fortune  an  unpleasantly  rounh'one."— yVi/'/diW/A/Vi  Inquirer. 

"  We  class  this  as  one  of  the  best  stories  for  boys  we  ever  read.  The  tone  is 
perfectly  healthy,  and  the  interest  is  kept  up  to  the  end."  — i>os/o«  llomt 
Journal. 

Bound  in  Honor.    By  J.  T.  Trowbriuge.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 


a  lad,  who,  lhou)ih  not  uuilty  of 

■  :ct  of  his  comrades,  and  felt 


ny  bad  action,  had  been  an 
liound  in  Honor"  not 


This  «^lory  is  of 
•ye-wiiness  of  the  cC'H' 
to  tell. 

"The  d'hnpses  we  get  of  New  Enijland  character  are  free  from  any  distor- 
tion, and  their  humorous  phases  are  always  entertaining.  Mr.  Tkowbridge's 
brilliant  descriiitive  faculty  is  shown  to  great  advantage  in  the  opening  chapter 
of  the  book  bv  a  vivid  picture  of  a  village  fire,  and  is  manifested  elsewhere  with 
equally  telling  ellect."  —  Boston  Courier. 

The  Pocket  Rifle.    By  J.  T.  Trowbridge.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

"A  boy's  story  which  will  be  read  with  avidity,  as  it  ought  to  he,  it  is  so 
brightly  and  fran'kly  written,  and  with  such  evident  knowledge  of  the  tempera- 
meats  and  habits,  the  friendships  and  enmities  of  schoolboys."  — AVie  York 
Mail. 

"This  is  a  capital  story  for  bovs.  Trowuridgb  never  tells  a  story  poorly. 
It  teaches  honesty,  integrity,  and  friendship,  and  how  best  they  can  be  pro- 
moted. It  shows  the  danger  of  h.asty  judgment  and  circumstantial  evidence; 
that  right-doing  pays,  and  dishonesty  never."—  Chicago  Inter-Ocean. 

The  .i^olly  Rover.    By  J.  T.  Trowbridge.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

"  This  book  will  help  to  neutralize  the  ill  effects  of  any  poison  which  children 
may  have  swallowed  in  the  wayof  sham-adventurous  stories  and  wildly  fictitious 
tales.  'The  Jolly  Rover'  runs  away  from  home,  and  meets  life  as  it  is,  till  he 
is  glad  enough  to  seek  again  his  fiither's  house.  Mr.  Tkowuhidge  has  the 
power  of  making  an  instructive  story  absorbing  in  its  interest,  and  of  covering 
a  moral  so  that  it  is  easy  to  take."—  Christian  Intelligencer. 

Youngr  Joe,  and  Other  Boys.    By  J.  T.  Trowbridge.    Illus- 
trated.   $1.25. 
«'  Young  Joe,"  who  lived  at  Bass  Cove,  where  he  shot  wild  ducks,  took  some 
to  town  for  sale,  and  attracted  the  attention  of  a  portly  gentleman  ftmd  of  shoot- 
ing.   This  gentleman  went  duck  shooting  with  Joe,  and  their  adventures  were 
more  amusing  to  the  boy  than  to  the  amateur  sportsman. 

There  are  thirteen  other  short  stories  in  the  book  which  will  be  sure  to  please 
the  young  folks. 

The  Vagabonds :   An  Illustrated  Poem.    By  J.  T.  Trow- 
bridge.   Cloth.    $1.50. 

"  The  Vagabonds  "  are  a  strolling  fiddler  and  his  dog.  The  fiddler  has  been 
ruined  by  drink,  and  his  monologue  is  one  of  the  most  pathetic  and  effective 
pieces  in  our  literature. 

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lOOKS 

4.    a  V(>lilinr<i. 

lEs.      By  J.   T.   Trow- 

nscbrenkcrs,  nnd  nmnng  their 
Id  one  John  lliirrisnn  by  the 
cirtiiiii  lUiilon  liarry.  Now 
akrrs.  'I'his  is  the  summary 
interesting  in  its  serious  us 

i«E.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

t.  Its  hero  is  a  plucky  younn 
■,  determines  to  make  liis  own 
trudges  to  the  far  West,  and 
K,"  —I'hilaJelphia  Inquirer. 
ys  we  ever  read.  Tlie  tone  is 
10  the  i:nii."  —  Soslon  Home 

>GE.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

1"  any  had  action,  had  been  an 
felt"  liound  in  Honor"  not 

icter  are  free  from  any  distor- 
laininx.  Mr.  Tkowuridge's 
.intake  in  the  opening  chapter 
is  manifested  elsewhere  with 

>OB.    Illustrated.    $i.25. 

ty,  as  it  ouRht  to  be,  it  is  so 
nt  knowledge  of  the  tempera- 
of  schoolboys."  — AVie  York 

iGE  never  tells  a  story  poorly, 
id  how  best  they  can  be  pro. 
and  circumstantial  evidence; 
'Chicago  Inter-Ocean. 

GE.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

5  of  any  poison  which  children 
>us  stories  and  wildly  fictitious 
,  and  meets  life  as  it  is,  till  he 
:.  Mr.  TiiowuHiDGE  has  the 
n  its  interest,  and  of  covering 
ttelligencer. 

r.  Trowbridge.    IUus- 


he  shot  wild  ducks,  look  some 

ortly  gentleman  fond  of  shoot- 

|oc,  and  their  adventures  were 

irtsman. 

)k  which  will  be  sure  to  please 


?OEM.    By  J.  T.  Trow- 

liis  dog.    The  fiddler  has  been 
lie  most  pathetic  and  effective 


LETE  CATALOGUE  FREE. 


J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE'S  BOOKS 


THE  TIDE-Mll,l4  8TORIKH.    fl  volumeli. 
Phil  ami  His*  Friemls.    By  J.  T.  Trowbridge.    Illustrated. 

The  luro  is  the  son  of  a  man  who  from  drink  got  into  debt,  and,  after  having 
Biven  a  naper  to  a  creditor  authorizing  hiin  to  keep  the  son  as  a  security  for 
his  .laini,  ran  awav,  leaving  poor  IMiil  a  licind  slave.  The  story  involves  a 
ureit  many  unexiiceteil  incidents,  some  ot  which  are  painful,  and  some  comic. 
I'liil  maiifiilly  works  for  a  year,  eancelliiiL'  his  father's  debt,  and  then  escapes. 
The  characters  are  strongly  drawn,  and  tlie  story  is  absorbingly  interesting. 


The  Tiiikliain  Brotlicrs*  Tide-Mill 

Illustrated.     $1-25. 

"  The  Titikhain  Ilriithers  "  were  the  devoted  sons  n'  ai 


By  J.  T.  Trowbridge. 


Invalid  mother.    The 


storv  tells  how  they  purchased  a  tide-mill,  which  alterwaids,  by  the  ill-will  and 
obstinacy  of  neit'hbiirs,  became  a  s<inr(  e  of  mlieh  trouble  to  them.  It  tells  also 
how,  by  discretion  and  the  exercise  of  a  peaceable  spirit,  they  at  last  overcame 
all  dilhculties. 

"Mr  Thowhriuoe's  humor,  his  fidelity  to  nature,  and  story-telling  power 
lose  nothini:  with  years;  and  he  stands  at  the  bead  of  those  who  are  furnishing 
a  iiterature  for  the  young,  clean  and  sweet  in  lone,  and  always  of  interest  and 
value."—  The  Continent. 

The  Satin-wood  Box.  By  J.  T.  Trowbridge.  Illustrated. 
$1.25. 
"  Mr  Trowbridge  has  always  a  purpose  in  his  writings,  and  this  time  he 
has  undertaken  to  show  how  very  near  an  innocent  boy  can  c-ome  to  the  guilty 
edire  and  yet  be  able  by  fortunate  circumstances  to  rid  himself  of  all  suspicion 
of  evil.  There  is  something  winsome  about  the  hero;  but  he  has  a  sinL'ular 
way  of  falling  into  bad  luck,  although  the  careful  reader  will  never  feel  the 
least  disposed  to  doubt  his  honesty.  ...  It  is  the  pain  and  perplexity  which 
impart  to  the  story  its  intense  interest."  —  ^yrara.?*  Standard. 

The  Little  Master.    By  J.  T.  Trowbridge.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

This  is  the  story  of  a  schoolm.t.ster,  his  trials,  disappointments,  and  final 
victory  It  will  recall  to  many  a  man  his  experience  in  teaching  pupils,  and 
in  managing  their  opinionated  and  self-willed  parents.  The  story  has  the 
charm  which  is  always  found  in  Mr.  Tuowhridge's  works. 

"  Many  a  teacher  could  profit  by  reading  of  this  plucky  little  schoolmaster." 
—  Journal  of  Education. 
His  One  Fault.    By  J.  T.  Trowbridge.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

"As  for  the  hero  of  this  story, 'His  One  Fault' was  absent-mindedness.  He 
forifot  to  lock  his  uncle's  stable  door,  and  the  horse  was  stolen.  In  seeking  to 
recSver  the  stolen  horse,  he  unintentionally  stole  another.  In  trying  to  restore 
the  wrong  horse  to  his  rightful  owner,  he  was  himself  arrested.  After  no  end 
of  comic  and  dolorous  adventures,  he  surmounted  all  his  misfortunes  by  down- 
right pluck  and  genuine  good  feeling.  It  is  a  noble  contribution  to  juvenile 
iiterature."  —  lyoman's  Journal. 
Peter  Budstone.    By  J.  T.  Trowbridge.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

"Trowbridge's  other  books  have  been  admirable  and  deservedly  popular, 
but  this  one,  in  our  opinion,  is  the  best  yet.  It  is  a  story  at  once  spirited  and 
touching,  with  a  certain  dramatic  and  artistic  quality  that  appeals  to  the  literary 
sense  as  well  as  to  the  story-loving  appetite.  In  it  Mr.  Trowbridge  has  not 
lectured  or  moralized  or  remonstrated ;  he  has  simply  .shown  boys  what  they 
are  doing  when  they  contemplate  hazing.  By  a  good  artistic  impulse  we  are 
not  shown  the  hazing  at  all;  when  the  story  begins,  the  hazing  is  already  over, 
and  we  are  introduced  immediately  to  the  results.  It  is  an  artistic  touch  also 
that  the  boy  injured  is  not  hurt  because  he  is  a  fellow  of  delicate  nerves,  but  be- 
cause of  his  very  strength,  and  the  power  with  which  he  resisted  until  overcome 
by  numbers,  and  subjected  to  treatment  which  left  him  insane.  His  insanity 
takes  the  form  of  harmless  delusion,  and  the  absurdity  of  his  ways  and  talk 
enables  the  author  to  lighten  the  sombreness  without  weakening  the  moral,  ia 
away  that  ought  to  win  all  boys  to  his  siie."  — The  Critic. 

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J.  T.  TROWBRipGFSjOOKS 

THB  TOBY  TKArrOIlI.  SEBlKS.    3  volnn.*.. 

The  Fortunes  of  Toby  Trafford.     By  J.  T.  Tkow„...o.. 

Illustrated.      $I.2S'  „,i,„p  ns  thr  »tnrle»  wliitli  Hie 

..If  to  make  .hlUlrcn-s  »«""•'".,"  »■■"•,  ^^  &   growth  be  Mi  unco.nnmn 

n,.sVers  of  fiction  ^vriu.,   for  ch       en  of  ^,,\'i\,,„t;„iti.,„.  th.t  rcc.,Km  .on 


?/ 


i«  VV^w  V'w*  iVu//. 

Father  Bri.hthopcs :  A.  O;^  C-.ov^^^^^^^  V^c.x.c.    B, 


_»"   icngthenin^r.  "»•!  which,  it  Is  ho  >u  .  ^»_^'y  f,,^,,\,,^.  „„thor  hna  related 
ith  toucli.nK  «''"P'  ."-'y.!"  thowuridoe  is  pnt 


iis  become  classic.    T  he 


It  is  well  known  that  ,'^\'-.' "'.^"^..^Hyn;  ,J>ers  of  the 

STersarctruech'iUlrenof  |^;="-:T '"^  *"•''";„    w    ha  soll.i  basis,  and  with  an 
iSuv^lirarlcUIon^'ll^  h^ -^''-"  an  uninteresting  book. 

Woodle  Thorpe's  PilgrirS«',  ^^  ,?"'"  ^'°''"-       "^ 

—  5/.  Botolph.  

i  _-.._.  ,.,„iTrorta  n  Dhases  of  characier.  ^"    e..^J„atp!i  —  I)ov€r  . 


'scrn'eTCv^  rare  skill.- G/»^;««;/|^^^^^^^^^ 

.  ..  _  r...*i.„-»o  v»nRt-— *7(0wrw«». 


ik^te^uir?;fc^"Sil^-*-^^^^^^^^ 

^  torylnalivewithadventuresand  nc.^c^^^^  ^^^,„„,^,, 

W  hichisoneofTROWBBiDGEshnghtestan    oA^rr^r. 


^  ei^p  easant  r<^^i^^^-,^Zr^ir^<i:^T-Monla«a  American. 


D  Wiry  *»  •"  ■"" 

UE  AND  8HEPAR0.  BOSTON.  8EH0  THEIB  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FREE. 


LEAplO 


DKS 


9  voInm«M- 

J.   T.  Trovvbridoe. 

ns  the  stories  which  the 
I'rmvth  be  an  uncoimiion 
iwnition.  thiit  recKnltimi 
iniiny  aihievcments  In  thin 

h;i«   ii  K""''   Pi^fcePj.'""  ?} 
incc/of  invention,  which  he 

writers  have  not,  an  easy. 

poetic."  —  R- H.  SloJJarJ 

rtAN's  Vacation.    By 

■S-  ..^        r 

I'hilllps,  Sampson  &  Co.,  ol 
'  „  a  member.    It  wi**  very 
i.B,_  a  lonvc  Bcries  of  the  ii, 
be  prolonjjed    Indehnitely. 
face  the  author  has  related 
lericnce  in  authorslup. 
rilv  a  poet.    Some  beantirul 
,f  the  Atlantic  Monthly  (m 
■,,  I.OWKLL,  and  Jlo'-"=,';)' 
it  has  become  classic.     1  he 
y.writer.    The  perception  of 
;vident  even  in  his.':''""^;^'? 
entimentality,  and  ^is  char- 
i  as  well  as  natural  8");' '"'<> 
a  solid  basis,  and  with  an 
an  uninteresting  book. 

OTHER  Stories.     By 
.25- 

ikeness,  and  will  please  many 
ose  delectation  it  is  intended, 
.nlyrsincerc,  and  in  the  best 
no^cant,  but  principles  of 
letly  inculcated  by  example; 
for  reading  books  like  this.. 


JDGE.      Cloth.      $1.50- 
ed.    The  praise  from  the  dif- 


Gloucester  Telegraph. 
'ew  Bedford  Standard.        . 
^fascinates -Z)<»w  A?'""- 

"''"''•  uu 

.  Commonwealtn. 

f /earth  and  Uome. 
trikingand  vivid.— Xtoi'"-  .S""^' 
d  best.  —  Boston  Transcript. 
<  Observer. 

Montana  American. 
iven  Register. 

PLETE  CATALOBUE  FREE. 


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